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On the perception of madness
1Royal Park Hospital, Parkville, Victoria.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Psychiatry has historically treated mental illness, but deinstitutionalization has led to neglect of severe mental disorders. Mainstreaming acute psychiatry into general hospitals offers a chance to improve care for the chronically mentally ill.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Mental Health Care
Background:
- Mental illness historically managed by healers.
- Psychiatry diverged from mainstream medicine with asylums.
- Deinstitutionalization in Australia led to psychiatrists leaving public practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of deinstitutionalization on mental health care.
- To explore the neglect of severely and chronically mentally ill patients.
- To propose mainstreaming acute psychiatry in general hospitals as a solution.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of psychiatric practice.
- Examination of trends in public vs. private psychiatric practice in Australia.
- Argumentative approach to policy recommendations.
Main Results:
- Neglect in treatment for severely and chronically mentally ill, especially those with behavioral disorders.
- Increased departure of psychiatrists from public practice post-deinstitutionalization.
Conclusions:
- Mainstreaming acute psychiatry into general hospitals presents an opportunity.
- Psychiatry can reassert its role in managing complex mental health conditions.
- Improved care for the chronically mentally ill is achievable through integrated services.