What is Community Psychiatry?

[CaMD]

Sorry for the dumb question but what does community psychiatry mean? Does it mean working anywhere but in an academic center? Or is it more specific than that?

Thanks!

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[erg923]

Clinical-community psychology programs provide the same clinical training as any other Ph.D program in clincial, but the curriculum focuses heavily on preparing its graduates to work in underserved community settings. There is also a heavy focus on the integration of preventative strategies and a heavy focus on the psychosocial dynamics that influence behavior and the development of psychopathology in specific (usually underserved or low SES) communities. I would assume community psychiatry is much the same.

 

[Hurricane]

This site might be helpful: American Association of Community Psychiatrists

 

[michaelrack]

Sorry for the dumb question but what does community psychiatry mean? Does it mean working anywhere but in an academic center? Or is it more specific than that?

Thanks!

It's basically working in a mental health center.

 

[CaMD]

Thanks for the replies, honestly my understanding is still kind of sketchy but clearer than before.

The reason I ask is because a couple of programs I applied to say they are "community psychiatry" focused and I'm trying to figure out if that's me or not. 😉

 

[psychattending]

In order to be an approved training program, a program must provide training in community psychiatry. Community psych is public psychiatry (i.e. in a gov't supported entity, not a private hospital). Community psych is required because chronically ill patients tend not to have insurance. In addition community psych settings tend to make use of case managers.

This is the definition from the ACGME (http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/RRC_400/400_prIndex.asp)

"Community Psychiatry: This experience must expose residents to persistently and
chronically-ill patients in the public sector, (e.g., community mental health centers, public hospitals and agencies, and other communitybased
settings). The program should provide residents the opportunity to consult with, learn
about, and use community resources and services in planning patient care, as well as to consult and work collaboratively with case managers, crisis teams, and other mental
health professionals."

 

[michaelrack]

Community psych is required because chronically ill patients tend not to have insurance.

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Many do have medicaid and/or medicare, but when it comes to trying to get an appt with a private psychiatrist, that's the same as having no insurance.