Psychiatry in the 2000s: fear, risk and the internet

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the experience of psychiatry training in the decade 2000-2010. This period was a time of consolidating previous advances made during the decade of the brain, and one in which world events shaped the focus of policy and clinical care. Terrorist acts and war, and their consequences (people seeking refuge and asylum) contributed to a climate of fear which flowed on to psychiatric practice. Training at this time appeared preoccupied with risk assessment. We became more aware of the complexity of physical health problems in people with mental illness and were taught to prevent and manage them in our patients. During this decade, the internet and mobile technology shaped the way we communicate. For psychiatry, it delivered new ways to enhance mental health literacy, and access to information and on-line therapy and support.

Local and world events in the 2000s influenced psychiatric practice and consumer involvement. A focus on risk may have led to more conservative management but also to recognition of the profession's responsibility for the physical health of their patients. The new decade promises even more use of internet technology, a new education program and opportunities for trainees.