Therapeutic practice profiles, theoretical models and representations of the psychiatry of Swiss psychiatrists

Abstract

Few studies have taken up therapeutic practices in psychiatry and different aspects related to them on an empirical basis. Hence a typology of practices (psychoanalytic, biological, systemic, cognitivebehavioural and general) and their conformity with the underlying theoretical models (psychological, medical-biological, social, eclectic) is demonstrated. Overall these relationships are close; differences between types of therapeutic practices and models of reference are nevertheless frequent. Other aspects related more or less directly to these theoretical references are analysed from the same perspective: the degree of information psychiatrists possess in the different domains of psychiatry, their interests, the professional reading matter which they prefer and their membership of learned societies or professional and social associations. If on these subjects significant differences distinguish the therapeutic profiles, this cannot be said of replies to questions concerning the stakes in psychiatry (training, priorities and future development). The consequences of these results on the collaboration between representatives of the different therapeutic profiles are discussed, as well as questions related to eclecticism and the integration of different models in an new conceptual synthesis.