What's new in administration

The author reviews some of the trends and issues that have emerged in mental health administration over the past 20 years. They include the growing awareness of the need for clinicians to receive training in administration, the expanding body of knowledge in the management field, the availability of statistical methods to help manage uncertainty, and advances in treatment techniques and management information systems. Other developments are changes in the delivery of services, external controls on institutions and professionals, scarcity of resources, the important role of politics and public relations in ensuring adequate services, and sensitization to the social responsibility of the mental health system.