Insight Matters
Winter 2005

Physician Collaboration Benefits All
By Herman A. Tolbert, M.D., President

To paraphrase an often-used quote - it is the best of times and the worst of times. As psychiatrists and physicians, we are blessed to live at a moment in history when the psychiatric knowledge base is at its greatest and we have available to us a vast array of therapies and medications to utilize in the never-ending battle against mental illness. Psychopharmacology research continues to lead to more and more approaches to the illnesses our neighbors face on a daily basis. We have more of the tools needed to understand and alleviate crippling symptoms so that the suffering of our patients and their families can be greatly reduced.

One of our remaining problems, however, is that the pool of psychiatrists is not keeping up with the demand for our services, especially for children and adolescents, who are having increasing numbers of problems. The challenge is to develop the resources to meet the needs of our society.
As members of OPA, we have the opportunity to impact the solutions, and we must do so before others step into the void, professing to possess the same skills as psychiatrists. Every psychiatrist and supporter is needed to become a more visible and vocal ambassador for the value of our profession and the benefits we can provide for our patients and society at large. It has become clear that others are waiting in the wings should we drop our guard.

Opportunities are available this year for us to partner with family practitioners, pediatricians and other physicians to meet these challenges. OPA has been invited to participate in several joint meetings during the next several weeks to plan strategies for such work. Members of the OPA Council and Committees will be representing us at these forums to develop plans for how we can work together for the good of our patients and our profession. I hope the membership at large will be supportive of these efforts and enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to highlight our skills and fill a gap that only a dedicated workforce of psychiatrists can. When we call on you, I hope that every member will step forward to participate, because what helps our public will also help us.

Back to newsletter