Ten Assumptions Which Cripple Psychiatrists' Participation in Quality Assurance Activities

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the drastic changes in self-assessment that have occurred within psychiatric agencies over the years. It describes various aspects of quality assurance and presents 10 assumptions, which cripple the participation of psychiatrists in clinical care evaluation studies. Scrutiny of the work of psychiatrists is also not new. As an integral part of professional practice, psychiatrists traditionally have been responsible for assessing and correcting their own work as well as the work of their colleagues. In addition, within the clinical agencies, psychiatrists have been responsible for supervising the caseloads of others, maintaining high standards and high-quality care, defining clinical policies and procedures, and evaluating the professional qualifications and competence of the applicants to medical staff. To progress further in the care of mental illness as well as in quality assurance, psychiatrists must identify to what extent these assumptions determine their care of patients and their professional behavior. The less influence these assumptions have, the greater the chances that psychiatrists have to show that the right thing is done when it is needed.