Am J Psychiatry 1982; 139:456-460
Copyright © 1982 by American Psychiatric Association
Problems of psychiatric practice in community mental health centers
CM Donovan
Initial enthusiasm about community mental health centers (CMHCs) has
diminished. The participation of psychiatrists in CMHCs declined in the
1970s and may decline further. The author describes one center to highlight
problems encountered by community psychiatrists: 1) unrealistic treatment
expectations, 2) limitations of psychiatric knowledge, 3) need for a broad
range of clinical expertise, 4) supervision of other CMHC clinicians, 5)
limited funds and rehabilitation facilities, 6) complex medical and legal
problems, and 7) lack of adequate training in administration. She suggests
that the public be reeducated regarding realistic treatment goals, that
CMHCs be allied with university departments of psychiatry, that funding be
stabilized, and that community psychiatrists be given more support.
