A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly mental issues. Sometimes a psychiatrist works within a multi-disciplinary team, which may comprise clinical psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and nursing staff. Psychiatrists have broad training in a biopsychosocial approach to the assessment and management of mental illness.
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Education required | Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS/MBChB) Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) |
Fields of employment | Psychiatric clinics |
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As part of the clinical assessment process, psychiatrists may employ a mental status examination; a physical examination; brain imaging such as a computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or positron emission tomography scan; and blood testing. Psychiatrists use pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or interventional approaches to treat mental disorders.
Subspecialties
The field of psychiatry has many subspecialties that require additional (fellowship) training, which, in the US, are certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and require Maintenance of Certification Program to continue. These include the following:
- Clinical neurophysiology
- Forensic psychiatry
- Addiction psychiatry
- Child and adolescent psychiatry
- Geriatric psychiatry
- Palliative care
- Pain management
- Consultation-liaison psychiatry
- Sleep medicine
- Brain injury medicine
Further, other specialties that exist include:
- Cross-cultural psychiatry
- Emergency psychiatry
- Learning disability
- Neurodevelopmental disorder
- Cognition diseases, as in various forms of dementia
- Biological psychiatry
- Community psychiatry
- Global mental health
- Military psychiatry
- Social psychiatry
- Sports psychiatry
The United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties in the United States offers certification and fellowship program accreditation in the subspecialties of behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry, which is open to both neurologists and psychiatrists.
Some psychiatrists specialize in helping certain age groups. Pediatric psychiatry is the area of the profession working with children in addressing psychological problems. Psychiatrists specializing in geriatric psychiatry work with the elderly and are called geriatric psychiatrists or geropsychiatrists. Those who practice psychiatry in the workplace are called occupational psychiatrists in the United States and occupational psychology is the name used for the most similar discipline in the UK. Psychiatrists working in the courtroom and reporting to the judge and jury, in both criminal and civil court cases, are called forensic psychiatrists, who also treat mentally disordered offenders and other patients whose condition is such that they have to be treated in secure units.
Other psychiatrists may also specialize in psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, psychiatric genetics, neuroimaging, dementia-related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, sleep medicine, pain medicine, palliative medicine, eating disorders, sexual disorders, women's health, global mental health, early psychosis intervention, mood disorders and anxiety disorders such as obsessive–compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Psychiatrists work in a wide variety of settings. Some are full-time medical researchers, many see patients in private medical practices, and consult liaison psychiatrists see patients in hospital settings where psychiatric and other medical conditions interact.
Professional requirements
While requirements to become a psychiatric physician differ from country to country, all require a medical degree.
India
This section does not cite any sources.(October 2017) |
In India, a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree is the basic qualification needed to do psychiatry. After completing an MBBS (including an internship), they can attend various PG medical entrance exams and get a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in psychiatry, which is a 3-year course. Diploma course in psychiatry or DNB psychiatry can also be taken to become a psychiatrist.
Netherlands
This section does not cite any sources.(October 2017) |
In the Netherlands, one must complete medical school after which one is certified as a medical doctor. After a strict selection program, one can specialize for 4.5-years in psychiatry. During this specialization, the resident has to do a 6-month residency in the field of social psychiatry, a 12-month residency in a field of their own choice (which can be child psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, somatic medicine, or medical research). To become an adolescent psychiatrist, one has to do an extra specialization period of 2 more years. In short, this means that it takes at least 10.5 years of study to become a psychiatrist which can go up to 12.5 years if one becomes a children's and adolescent psychiatrist.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, one must complete basic medical education, an MBBS, then get registered with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) as a general practitioner after a one-year mandatory internship, house job. After registration with PMDC, one has to take the FCPS-I exam. After that, they pursue four additional years of training in psychiatry at the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. Training includes rotations in general medicine, neurology, and clinical psychology for three months each, during the first two years. There is a mid-exam intermediate module and a final exam after four years.
Hong Kong
In the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), psychiatrists are required to obtain a medical degree, followed by a minimum of six years of specialized training. Then, they must achieve fellowship at the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists and attain the qualification of 'specialist in psychiatry' from the Medical Council. Certified psychiatrists are included in the registry.
The fees charged by specialist psychiatrists vary. In private clinics, the cost of a consultation starts from HK$1,500. Compared to private clinics, the fees for specialist outpatient services of the Hospital Authority are lower, but the waiting time can be as long as two years. For Eligible Persons, the first consultation fee is HK$135, and each subsequent consultation fee is HK$80. Additionally, the cost for each type of medication is HK$15.
United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland
In the United Kingdom, psychiatrists must hold a medical degree. Following this, the individual will work as a foundation house officer for two additional years in the UK, or one year as an intern in the Republic of Ireland to achieve registration as a basic medical practitioner. Training in psychiatry can then begin and it is taken in two parts: three years of basic specialist training culminating in the MRCPsych exam, followed by three years of higher specialist training referred to as "ST4-6" in the UK and "Senior Registrar Training" in the Republic of Ireland. Candidates with MRCPsych degree and complete basic training must reinterview for higher specialist training. At this stage, the development of special interests such as forensic or child/adolescent takes place. At the end of 3 years of higher specialist training, candidates are awarded a Certificate of Completion of (Specialist) Training (CC(S)T). At this stage, the psychiatrist can register as a specialist, and the qualification of CC(S)T is recognized in all EU/EEA states. As such, training in the UK and Ireland is considerably longer than in the US or Canada and frequently takes around 8–9 years following graduation from medical school. Those with a CC(S)T will be able to apply for consultant posts. Those with training from outside the EU/EEA should consult local/native medical boards to review their qualifications and eligibility for equivalence recognition (for example, those with a US residency and ABPN qualification).
United States and Canada
In the United States and Canada, one must first attain the degree of M.D. or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, followed by practice as a psychiatric resident for another four years (five years in Canada). This extended period involves comprehensive training in psychiatric diagnosis, psychopharmacology, medical care issues, and psychotherapies. All accredited psychiatry residencies in the United States require proficiency in cognitive behavioral, brief, psychodynamic, and supportive psychotherapies. Psychiatry residents are required to complete at least four post-graduate months of internal medicine or pediatrics, plus a minimum of two months of neurology during their first year of residency, referred to as an "internship". After completing their training, psychiatrists are eligible to take a specialty board examination to become board-certified. The total amount of time required to complete educational and training requirements in the field of psychiatry in the United States is twelve years after high school. Subspecialists in child and adolescent psychiatry are required to complete a two-year fellowship program, the first year of which can run concurrently with the fourth year of the general psychiatry residency program. This adds one to two years of training. The average compensation for psychiatrists in the U.S. in 2023 was $309,000.
See also
- List of psychiatrists
- List of fictional psychiatrists
- Antipsychiatry
References
- Liu, Howard (January 2023). "What is Psychiatry?". Psychiatry.org.
- "Taking a Subspecialty Exam - American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology". Archived from the original on 2015-09-05. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists. (2005). Careers info for School leavers. Retrieved March 25, 2007, from "Your training | Royal College of Psychiatrists". Archived from the original on 2007-07-09. Retrieved 2007-03-25.
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. (5 March 2007). ABPN Certification - Subspecialties. Retrieved March 25, 2007, from
- Psychiatry.com (Unknown last update). Student Information. Retrieved March 25, 2007, from "Psychiatry.com - Student Information". Archived from the original on 2010-10-23. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
- Training Programs Archived 2015-09-12 at the Wayback Machine
- The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists (2023-08-20). "香港精神科醫生名單". www.hkcpsych.org.hk (in English and Chinese).
- "兒童精神科醫生邊個好?即睇收費及公私營選擇- 香港兒科醫學資訊網". hkchildhealth.info (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
- "醫院管理局精神科門診新症輪候時間". www.ha.org.hk. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
- Careers info for School leavers Archived 2008-02-07 at the Wayback Machine
- Koval, Mary (24 May 2023). "Your Income vs Your Peers': Medscape Psychiatrist Compensation Report 2023". Medscape. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
Further reading
- American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89042-554-1. OCLC 830807378.
- Frances, Allen; First, Michael B. (1999). Your Mental Health: A Layman's Guide to the Psychiatrist's Bible. New York: Scribner. ISBN 978-0-684-83720-8. OCLC 605729701.
- Hafner, H. (January 2002). "Psychiatrie als Beruf" [Psychiatry as a profession]. Der Nervenarzt (in German). 73 (1): 33–40. doi:10.1007/s115-002-8144-1. PMID 11975061. S2CID 42786753.
- Stout, Chris E. (1993). From the Other Side of the Couch: Candid Conversations with Psychiatrists and Psychologists. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-27765-8. OCLC 27897880.
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly mental issues Sometimes a psychiatrist works within a multi disciplinary team which may comprise clinical psychologists social workers occupational therapists and nursing staff Psychiatrists have broad training in a biopsychosocial approach to the assessment and management of mental illness PsychiatristOccupationNamesPsychiatristalienist archaic Occupation typeProfessionspecializationActivity sectorsMedicinepsychiatryDescriptionCompetenciesAnalytical mindpatienceEducation requiredDoctor of Medicine M D Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery MBBS MBChB Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine D O Fields of employmentPsychiatric clinicsRelated jobsPsychologistpsychotherapistPsychiatric mental health nurse practitioner As part of the clinical assessment process psychiatrists may employ a mental status examination a physical examination brain imaging such as a computerized tomography magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography scan and blood testing Psychiatrists use pharmacologic psychotherapeutic or interventional approaches to treat mental disorders SubspecialtiesThe field of psychiatry has many subspecialties that require additional fellowship training which in the US are certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology ABPN and require Maintenance of Certification Program to continue These include the following Clinical neurophysiology Forensic psychiatry Addiction psychiatry Child and adolescent psychiatry Geriatric psychiatry Palliative care Pain management Consultation liaison psychiatry Sleep medicine Brain injury medicine Further other specialties that exist include Cross cultural psychiatry Emergency psychiatry Learning disability Neurodevelopmental disorder Cognition diseases as in various forms of dementia Biological psychiatry Community psychiatry Global mental health Military psychiatry Social psychiatry Sports psychiatry The United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties in the United States offers certification and fellowship program accreditation in the subspecialties of behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry which is open to both neurologists and psychiatrists Some psychiatrists specialize in helping certain age groups Pediatric psychiatry is the area of the profession working with children in addressing psychological problems Psychiatrists specializing in geriatric psychiatry work with the elderly and are called geriatric psychiatrists or geropsychiatrists Those who practice psychiatry in the workplace are called occupational psychiatrists in the United States and occupational psychology is the name used for the most similar discipline in the UK Psychiatrists working in the courtroom and reporting to the judge and jury in both criminal and civil court cases are called forensic psychiatrists who also treat mentally disordered offenders and other patients whose condition is such that they have to be treated in secure units Other psychiatrists may also specialize in psychopharmacology psychotherapy psychiatric genetics neuroimaging dementia related disorders such as Alzheimer s disease attention deficit hyperactivity disorder sleep medicine pain medicine palliative medicine eating disorders sexual disorders women s health global mental health early psychosis intervention mood disorders and anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder Psychiatrists work in a wide variety of settings Some are full time medical researchers many see patients in private medical practices and consult liaison psychiatrists see patients in hospital settings where psychiatric and other medical conditions interact Professional requirementsWhile requirements to become a psychiatric physician differ from country to country all require a medical degree India This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed October 2017 Learn how and when to remove this message In India a Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery MBBS degree is the basic qualification needed to do psychiatry After completing an MBBS including an internship they can attend various PG medical entrance exams and get a Doctor of Medicine M D in psychiatry which is a 3 year course Diploma course in psychiatry or DNB psychiatry can also be taken to become a psychiatrist Netherlands This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed October 2017 Learn how and when to remove this message In the Netherlands one must complete medical school after which one is certified as a medical doctor After a strict selection program one can specialize for 4 5 years in psychiatry During this specialization the resident has to do a 6 month residency in the field of social psychiatry a 12 month residency in a field of their own choice which can be child psychiatry forensic psychiatry somatic medicine or medical research To become an adolescent psychiatrist one has to do an extra specialization period of 2 more years In short this means that it takes at least 10 5 years of study to become a psychiatrist which can go up to 12 5 years if one becomes a children s and adolescent psychiatrist Pakistan In Pakistan one must complete basic medical education an MBBS then get registered with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council PMDC as a general practitioner after a one year mandatory internship house job After registration with PMDC one has to take the FCPS I exam After that they pursue four additional years of training in psychiatry at the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan Training includes rotations in general medicine neurology and clinical psychology for three months each during the first two years There is a mid exam intermediate module and a final exam after four years Hong Kong In the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region HKSAR psychiatrists are required to obtain a medical degree followed by a minimum of six years of specialized training Then they must achieve fellowship at the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists and attain the qualification of specialist in psychiatry from the Medical Council Certified psychiatrists are included in the registry The fees charged by specialist psychiatrists vary In private clinics the cost of a consultation starts from HK 1 500 Compared to private clinics the fees for specialist outpatient services of the Hospital Authority are lower but the waiting time can be as long as two years For Eligible Persons the first consultation fee is HK 135 and each subsequent consultation fee is HK 80 Additionally the cost for each type of medication is HK 15 United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland In the United Kingdom psychiatrists must hold a medical degree Following this the individual will work as a foundation house officer for two additional years in the UK or one year as an intern in the Republic of Ireland to achieve registration as a basic medical practitioner Training in psychiatry can then begin and it is taken in two parts three years of basic specialist training culminating in the MRCPsych exam followed by three years of higher specialist training referred to as ST4 6 in the UK and Senior Registrar Training in the Republic of Ireland Candidates with MRCPsych degree and complete basic training must reinterview for higher specialist training At this stage the development of special interests such as forensic or child adolescent takes place At the end of 3 years of higher specialist training candidates are awarded a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training CC S T At this stage the psychiatrist can register as a specialist and the qualification of CC S T is recognized in all EU EEA states As such training in the UK and Ireland is considerably longer than in the US or Canada and frequently takes around 8 9 years following graduation from medical school Those with a CC S T will be able to apply for consultant posts Those with training from outside the EU EEA should consult local native medical boards to review their qualifications and eligibility for equivalence recognition for example those with a US residency and ABPN qualification United States and Canada In the United States and Canada one must first attain the degree of M D or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine followed by practice as a psychiatric resident for another four years five years in Canada This extended period involves comprehensive training in psychiatric diagnosis psychopharmacology medical care issues and psychotherapies All accredited psychiatry residencies in the United States require proficiency in cognitive behavioral brief psychodynamic and supportive psychotherapies Psychiatry residents are required to complete at least four post graduate months of internal medicine or pediatrics plus a minimum of two months of neurology during their first year of residency referred to as an internship After completing their training psychiatrists are eligible to take a specialty board examination to become board certified The total amount of time required to complete educational and training requirements in the field of psychiatry in the United States is twelve years after high school Subspecialists in child and adolescent psychiatry are required to complete a two year fellowship program the first year of which can run concurrently with the fourth year of the general psychiatry residency program This adds one to two years of training The average compensation for psychiatrists in the U S in 2023 was 309 000 See alsoList of psychiatrists List of fictional psychiatrists AntipsychiatryReferencesLiu Howard January 2023 What is Psychiatry Psychiatry org Taking a Subspecialty Exam American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Archived from the original on 2015 09 05 Retrieved 2015 09 19 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2005 Careers info for School leavers Retrieved March 25 2007 from Your training Royal College of Psychiatrists Archived from the original on 2007 07 09 Retrieved 2007 03 25 American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Inc 5 March 2007 ABPN Certification Subspecialties Retrieved March 25 2007 from Psychiatry com Unknown last update Student Information Retrieved March 25 2007 from Psychiatry com Student Information Archived from the original on 2010 10 23 Retrieved 2007 09 21 Training Programs Archived 2015 09 12 at the Wayback Machine The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists 2023 08 20 香港精神科醫生名單 www hkcpsych org hk in English and Chinese 兒童精神科醫生邊個好 即睇收費及公私營選擇 香港兒科醫學資訊網 hkchildhealth info in Chinese Taiwan 2023 05 27 Retrieved 2023 09 02 醫院管理局精神科門診新症輪候時間 www ha org hk Retrieved 2023 09 03 Careers info for School leavers Archived 2008 02 07 at the Wayback Machine Koval Mary 24 May 2023 Your Income vs Your Peers Medscape Psychiatrist Compensation Report 2023 Medscape Retrieved 21 January 2024 Further readingAmerican Psychiatric Association 2013 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th ed Arlington VA American Psychiatric Publishing ISBN 978 0 89042 554 1 OCLC 830807378 Frances Allen First Michael B 1999 Your Mental Health A Layman s Guide to the Psychiatrist s Bible New York Scribner ISBN 978 0 684 83720 8 OCLC 605729701 Hafner H January 2002 Psychiatrie als Beruf Psychiatry as a profession Der Nervenarzt in German 73 1 33 40 doi 10 1007 s115 002 8144 1 PMID 11975061 S2CID 42786753 Stout Chris E 1993 From the Other Side of the Couch Candid Conversations with Psychiatrists and Psychologists Westport CT Greenwood Press ISBN 978 0 313 27765 8 OCLC 27897880