Problem-solving treatment in general psychiatric practice

Abstract

The role of the general adult psychiatrist has changed significantly over the past decade. There is a focus (almost exclusively in some cases) on the management of patients with severe mental illness. Within the multi-disciplinary team, the key role of the psychiatrist is often perceived as the management of medication, making decisions about clinical risk and acting as gatekeeper to often restricted in-patient beds. Psychological and social interventions are commonly seen as the remit of other members of the team. Although psychiatric training should equip psychiatrists to have at least a reasonable understanding and practical knowledge of psychological treatments, many consultants in their day-to-day practice do not have sufficient time to utilise such treatments. These factors brought together result in a situation where the practice of many general adult psychiatrists is almost exclusively the treatment of patients with severe illness and within the treatment of such patients, psychiatric practice is much more about medication and risk management than the personal implementation of psychological interventions.