General Adult Psychiatry
Nature of the work
General Adult Psychiatry provides services to
adults with mental health difficulties in the short term and longer
term.
Many people find it attractive because it is a
balance of art and science. One has to have the ability to
engage with people in meaningful ways at times when they are often
in states of turmoil and distress whilst being supported by
knowledge of anatomy, physiology, psychology and
pharmacology.
Working in general adult psychiatry
The work encompasses the care of clients in
hospital and community settings. Psychiatrists are
supported by multi-disciplinary teams. They may have a
broader role working in an outpatient setting or an inpatient unit
or sometimes a mixture of the two. They will also work within
newer services, such as:
- Early Intervention
- Home Treatment Team
- Perinatal Psychiatry
- Neuropsychiatry
The work is varied and fascinating.
One needs an understanding of the problems at
"boundaries" when, for instance, clients move from child and
adolescent services or when clients move from our care into elderly
services.
There is a wide scope for
psychiatrists to become involved in teaching, both junior
and more senior doctors as well as other disciplines and it is
possible to develop a specialist interest in this area.
Some psychiatrists become involved in
management usually within their Trusts, but occasionally in more
regional and national fora, for instance the Royal College of
Psychiatrists or the BMA and there is ample opportunity to
obtain training for this and to be supported in such work.
Psychiatry is different to many other medical
specialities in that we can generally spend more time with
clients as well as their carers. Multi-disciplinary working
is one of our strengths which allow the use of skills in an
individual way, whilst at the same time being able to draw on
the knowledge and support of teams.
Common procedures / interventions
Psychiatrists are trained in and able to use
both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches.
They have an understanding of different
psychological approaches and psychology colleagues are available to
support and assist in this regard.
Mental Health Trusts have pharmacists skilled
in mental health medication and able to assist with the more
unusual problems.
Psychiatrists are supported by specialist
mental health law and have opportunities to learn about this and
utilise it for the benefit of their clients. Mental
health teams contain social workers who often have special training
in this area and are available for discussion and support with
this.
Some psychiatrists choose to develop a
particular interest for instance in the drug or alcohol fields
or eating disorders and go onto receive additional
training and develop particular expertise in these areas.
Associated sub specialties
There are three recognised sub
specialties:
- addiction psychiatry
- rehabilitation psychiatry
- liaison psychiatry
Further information
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