LETS TRAIN PSYCHIATRIC-RESIDENTS TO USE THEIR MEDICAL SKILLS TO MEET 21ST CENTURY DEMANDS

The health care system is moving toward the intefration of medical and psychiatric services since through this mechanism more efficient care can be provided to the many high-cost and complicated patients with p sychiatric comorbidity in the primary care setting, In order for psych iatry to respond to the demands resulting from these projected changes , adjustments in psychiatric residency curricula will be required. Thi s article suggests curricular revisions that increase training in psyc hiatric diagnosis and treatment in outpatient and acute care medical s ettings, emphasize development of psychiatric skills appropriate to in dividuals with a medical background, and improve the ability of psychi atrists to coordinate mental health care in primary care settings.