How many psychiatrists do we need?

Projections of manpower needs based on population growth and possibly improving access are unconvincing because of rapid changes in psychiatric practice and because complex social and political forces are influencing the psychiatrist's role in the mental health system. Given this basic uncertainty, attempts at filling residency positions at all costs are less than responsible. To serve our field well, efforts should be focused on recruiting "the best and the brightest" of our medical students and on providing quality training that stays in tune with the developments of the field and the evolution of the role of the psychiatrist.