Abstract

work, not only will it have more services to offer the social work field, but it will make greater demands on this as on other pro­ fessions. G. A. RENNISON REPATRIATION DEPARTIvffiNT'S PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC MEETINGS At the Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg, the Visiting and Resident Medical Officers engaged in psychiatric work hold a discussion each week to consider the treatment of selected patients. These meetings are also used for teaching purposes, various other members of the hospital staff whose duties bring them into contact with psychiatric patients being invited to attend. Such people include the Sister in charge of the psychiatric wards, psychologist, Senior Occupational Therapist, Medical Social Workers, Education and Training Therapists, padres, Physical Training Instructor and Librarian. Members of the auxilliary services who attend the clinical meet­ ings, not only have an opportunity to increase their knowledge of what psychiatric treatment involves, and how best they can contribute to this ..work, but also take an active part in the meetings, as they are asked to report on their observation of the patient who is the sUbject of discussion. The Medical Social Worker contributes to the Clinical meeting by presenting the patient's social history. These prepared reports often