Whatever Happened to Psychiatry? The Deprofessionalization of Community Mental Health Centers

Paul J. Fink, M.D., and Stephen P. Weinstein, PH.D.Authors Info & Affiliations

Publication: American Journal of Psychiatry

Volume 136, Number 4A

https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.1979.136.4a.406

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Abstract

The authors describe the dichotomy in the concept of community mental health centers. One view regards the community mental health center as a service provider for underserved populations, and another holds that it is an agent of social change. Deprofessionalization of community mental health centers has resulted from this lack of clear purpose, curtailment of funds, and conflicts over authority, service delivery, and control of the centers. Deprofessionalization has led to a decline in the number of psychiatrists in community mental health centers and a potentially negative impact on the quality of patient care.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

American Journal of Psychiatry

Volume 136 • Number 4A • April 1979

Pages: 406 - 409

PubMed: 426104

History

Received: 1 March 1978

Revision received: 14 July 1978

Accepted: 26 September 1978

Published in print: April 1979

Published online: 24 April 2020

Authors

Details

Paul J. Fink, M.D.

Dr. Fink is Professor and Chairman, and Dr. Weinstein is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107. Address reprint requests to Dr. Fink.

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Stephen P. Weinstein, PH.D.

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Whatever Happened to Psychiatry? The Deprofessionalization of Community Mental Health Centers

Abstract

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