The Role of Non-Psychiatric Professionals
Abstract
of Professionalsthe skillful referral follow-through community.responsibility, worker gives program into theE. A. PERRETZ, M. S. W. Discussion Leaders: Dr. C. H. GUNDRYâ âON -PSYCHIATRICPROFESSIONALSâwhose contributions were discussed in this topic included social workers, public health workers, general practitioners, the clergy, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and citizensâ groups. Chief emphasis was given to the role of social workers and public health personnel. Speaking from the viewpoint of a social worker, Mr. Perretz emphasized this professionâs potentialities for contributing to therapy aimed at re-establishing the patient in the community.Referring to comments at the previous session, he said he did not see any need for competition over which category of personnel would see patientsâ relatives. âIn a 1,000-bed or 2,000-bed hospital, there isnât time for such competition,â he remarked. Rather, he saw the challenge as one of first establishing communications within the hospital. âLack of communication, or the impairment of communication among the disciplines within the hospital, may rather materially, and in subtle and strangeways, contribute to the breakdown the in pa-âWe have heard it said all too often that relatives interfere with treatment,â Mr. Perretz continued. âThey are, in fact, inevitably part of treatment. Sometimes, for sound reasons, we have to