University of California Press Practice of Psychiatry in General Hospitals

The Practice of Psychiatry in General Hospitals offers an insightful historical and practical analysis of the evolving role of psychiatry within mainstream medical institutions. Tracing the roots of mental health treatment from the era when psychological disorders were attributed to supernatural forces to the modern integration of psychiatric care in general hospitals, this book highlights the critical transformations in medical attitudes and infrastructure. It underscores the damaging consequences of isolating mental health from general medicine, particularly the long-standing practice of relegating psychiatric care to distant asylums rather than incorporating it into comprehensive hospital settings. This study provides a compelling argument for the inclusion of psychiatric units in general hospitals, emphasizing the benefits of accessible, interdisciplinary care. The author critiques lingering prejudices that continue to limit the full integration of mental health services, advocating for a model in which psychiatric wards function as seamlessly as surgical or obstetric units. The book explores the advantages of this approach, including improved diagnostics, enhanced training for medical professionals, and reduced stigma for patients receiving mental health treatment. Essential reading for healthcare professionals, administrators, and medical educators, The Practice of Psychiatry in General Hospitals presents a persuasive case for the full recognition of psychiatry as an essential medical discipline, reinforcing the need for a holistic, inclusive healthcare system. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1956.