Community psychiatry-A new profession, a developing subspecialty, or effective clinical psychiatry?

Developments in community psychiatry are creating great controversy within the profession. This paper examines community psychiatry, assesses its place in the history of our science and practice, explores possible additions and modifications in residency training, and suggests possible patterns of practice. Community psychiatry is based on more than 20 years of developments within the profession. As such, there is a solid but limited base for its operation. Extensive program and basic research are essential. More psychiatrists will spend more time in the future in community psychiatry activities. Some will become specialists in community psychiatry, a subspecialty within the field of psychiatry.