Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
Published on: May 2, 2025
From Alienism to ACOs: Integrating Psychiatry, Again
Dominic A Sisti1, Chethan Ramamurthy1
1Dr. Sisti is with the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (e-mail: sistid@upenn.edu ). Dr. Ramamurthy is with the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University, Philadelphia. Benjamin G. Druss, M.D., M.P.H., is editor of this column.
Psychiatry is integrating into general medicine, but a modern "alienism" persists. Achieving conceptual parity, where mental illnesses are seen as equal to physical ones, is crucial for full integration.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Psychiatry
- Healthcare Policy
Background:
- Historically, psychiatrists were isolated in asylums, separate from general medical practice.
- Current trends show increasing integration of psychiatric services into mainstream healthcare settings, including accountable care organizations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the historical trajectory of psychiatric integration into general medical care.
- To identify persistent barriers to full integration and propose solutions.
- To advocate for conceptual parity between mental and physical illnesses.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of psychiatric practice and integration.
- Analysis of contemporary healthcare models and their impact on mental health care.
- Discussion of strategies to achieve conceptual parity.
Main Results:
- A historical shift from isolated asylums to integrated care settings has occurred.
- A contemporary form of "alienism" or the separation of mental health persists.
- Conceptual parity is identified as a necessary precursor for complete integration.
Conclusions:
- Full integration of psychiatry into general medicine requires achieving conceptual parity.
- Developing quality measures for behavioral health and enhancing training programs are key steps.
- Addressing the persistent "alienism" is vital for equitable healthcare.
More Related Videos
09:55Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
07:31Implementation of a Real-Time Psychosis Risk Detection and Alerting System Based on Electronic Health Records using CogStack
Published on: May 15, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Integrated Healthcare System
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy