THE MAKING OF A PSYCHIATRIST

The author introduces his paper that in his opinion his subject is par ticularly important today because of the current changing health care environment, where practice of psychiatry like any other branch of med icine is being increasingly influenced by growth in science, technolog y, high costs, rising expectation of the people and various market for ces as powerful factors, which have put psychiatric practice at cross roads. Due to the increasing shift in values, every one calls for a ch ange and suggests introspection. Although science is an essential part of psychiatry it is not its essence. The essence lies In the relation ship between psychiatrist and his patient and the quality of psychiatr ic practice may hinge on basic elements of humanism and our values. Wh at is required is the commitment of psychiatrists to their profession, with qualities of compassion and sensitivity to appreciate, to feel a nd understand some of the fading qualities and values in this professi on.