Undoubtedly, the profession of psychiatrist is one of the most important to date. Its importance and seriousness are conditioned by a personal plane of intelligence. Today, the modern world makes a person develop much faster than it used to even 5-10 years ago. A huge amount of information can cause a variety of mental disorders, and a person may not even know about them for many years. Thus, these disturbances will have a negative impact on an individual's life. The profession of psychiatrist requires serious training, because good people are able to greatly change people's lives. Psychiatrists' Wages generally satisfactory, moreover, can rapid career growth. Occupation psychiatrist is definitely one of the major in medicine, because many physical illnesses are psychosomatic in nature. Not everyone is able to become a good psychiatrist, as this profession requires certain qualities and characteristics.
Brief History of the Profession. The profession of psychiatrist is relatively young, though it has deep roots as the medical field. Hippocrates was the first to describe the psychiatric deviances. He explained them with the humoral theory of their origin. In the Middle Ages, Avicenna suggested that mental illnesses were associated with a physical disability in brain. Later, in 1803, the German physician Johann Christian introduced the term "psychiatry". There were many theories about the science of mental disorders at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, but a special place was occupied by two areas: psychoanalysis and positivist approach. The School of Psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud) is based on the theory of the unconscious.
Professional Settings and Features. A good specialist in this profession provides a qualified medical assistance in this field using modern methods of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, which are approved for use in medical practice. "Medical professionalism is linked to an occupation that regulates itself through systematic mandatory training and collegial disciplines" (Bhugra 329). A professional also specifies the management of patients in accordance with the established rules and standards. One more necessary feature of a psychiatrist is to develop a plan of inspection of a patient, clarify the scope and methods of rational examination of a patient in order to obtain a complete and accurate diagnostic information in the shortest space of time. Psychiatrists can make a diagnosis basing on clinical observations and examinations, anamnesis, clinical and laboratory data, and instrumental studies. In accordance with the established rules and standards, a specialist appoints and supervises necessary treatment or organizes necessary "diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive procedures and activities" by him/herself (Malhi 254). Psychiatrists work in psychiatric hospitals and takes up a post at neuropsychiatrist clinics in scientific centers. The salary level of a psychiatrist is average, depending on location and experience. Of course, higher incomes come from private practices. The first stage of medical education in the United States is two years of college where a student has the right to choose the items that he/she would study a semester. These type of students should not necessarily present in the classroom every day, as 3-4 days a week is enough. After college, based on interviews and tests, a future psychiatrist enrolls in medical school (Medical University). The training lasts four years and students do not choose subjects (as they are fixed). All classes are held at hospitals. After the completion of a certain cycle of subjects (i.e. surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, etc.), young specialists should pass exams. A graduate of the Medical Institute takes a degree of doctor but without the right to practice, as it is essentially a master's degree. This certificate allows them to engage in research and teaching. To get right to work (license) for the medical profession, they should complete a residency, where the length of training for family physicians, pediatricians, and internists takes up three years (it takes up four years for neurologists, psychiatrists and other specialists). To obtain the right to work (license), there is a fourth test, which students should pass during or after a residency. This exam (computer test) is carried out two consecutive days, eight hours. It is dedicated mainly to the rules of medical management (Malhi 257). To become a full-fledged and successful psychiatrist, a person should have certain personal qualities. Stress resistance is one of the main qualities of a successful psychiatrist. In addition, one should be confident, have high self-esteem, as if a patient does not feel a personal power in his/her psychiatrist, he/she would not take an expert seriously.
Contemporary famous Representative of the Profession. "The phrase ‘‘I’m listening’’ used by the fictional character Dr Frasier Crane, epitomizes the popular perception of a psychiatrist as someone who essentially listens to the problems of patients" (Malhi 255). The same can be said about Thomas McGlashan (1942), who is one of the most famous modern psychiatrists. His work has changed the understanding of psychiatry. He still continues to work on some popular theories in the field of psychiatry. Now McGlashan is a Doctor of Psychiatry at Yale University. Accoridng to Bentall, many specialists know him by his famous research on "the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia and other mental disorders" (202). He reached his professional success in 1967 at the Medical University of Pennsylvania. Moreover, Dr. McGlashan is an honorary member of the Chestnut Lodge (Bentall 204). In 2006, the New York Times acknowledged Dr. Thomas McGlashan one of the most successful researchers in the treatment of schizophrenia. He is the author of numerous scientific articles and books, as well as the owner of a plurality of medical and social awards in the field of psychiatry (Bentall 206). He continues to work and develop his researches today.
Personal Qualities of a Psychiatrist. One should refer activities of a clinical psychologist to the difficult professions. A person who has devoted him/herself to this area of science should have a vocation to psychology. Firstly, psychiatrist should be humane. A patient has a right to expect from a specialist a desire to help. Humanism, sense of duty, self-control, and conscientiousness have always been considered the main characteristics of a good psychiatrist. Clinical psychiatrist should have the data that are necessary for both psychologist and doctor. One of the major ethical principles should be the principle of medical confidentiality (privacy). It usually includes three types of information: about diseases, intimate, and family life of a patient.. "The basics of the professional role of psychiatrists are self-evident, and easy to state" (Malhi 256). In addition, the necessary feature of a qualified psychiatrist is the general and professional culture, which includes self-discipline in work, neatness, and cleanliness. A person who wants to be a psychiatrist should know about the qualities that can prevent him/her from achieving professional success. These qualities are the following: impressionable, excessive penchant for empathy, and self-doubt.
Conclusion
Definitely, profession of psychiatrist is one of the most complicated and respected medical professions. Today, it is very valuable to society. This is due to the increase of different information and changes in consciousness of the modern society. Every other person on the planet suffers from mental disorders, which indicated a need for such specialists.
Works cited
Bentall, Richard P. Doctoring the Mind: Is Our Current Treatment of Mental Illness Really Any Good?. New York, NY, USA: New York University Press (NYU Press), 2009. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 5 January 2016.
Bhugra, Dinesh. "Professionalism And Psychiatry: The Profession Speaks." Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 118.4 (2008): 327-329. Academic Search Alumni Edition. Web. 5 Jan. 2016.
Malhi, Gin S. "Professionalizing psychiatry: from ‘amateur’ psychiatry to ‘a mature’ profession." Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Oct. 2008: 255-257. Academic Search Alumni Edition. Web. 5 Jan. 2016.
