Psychiatrists and community mental health: current issues and trends.

Fewer and fewer psychiatrists seem interested in pursuing a career in community mental health. The author examines some of the possible reasons for the lack of interest, such as role diffusion and the jealousy and hostility of nonpsychiatric mental health staff. He discusses the shift in community treatment approaches toward teamwork and increased duties for the other mental health professionals, and examines the consequences of these changes. The author also discusses several different philosophies of community psychiatry, focusing on the place of the medical model. Finally, he offers suggestions for encouraging more psychiatrists to work in the community and for carving out a greater role for community psychiatry in mental health programs.