Consider market forces

I found Dr. Nasrallah’s April editorial interesting because I think morphing our profession is exciting. However, the reasons for the need for transformation were not laid out concretely.

We are always interested in the development of new diagnostic models and novel treatments; however, how can the mental health delivery system be changed? It is huge, poorly funded, and generally not run on the medical model. Community mental health programs tend to be lead by nonpsychiatrists at non-university hospitals. Insurance companies and private payees are reluctant to pay psychiatrists and reimbursements are comparatively lower than other medical specialties, so why would they pay for double-boarded psychiatrists? It doesn’t appear that the market would support further psychiatric education when more lucrative medical professions exist.

Finally, our government and patients want more access to medical care and lower costs. Would our patients and government support and reimburse us for more specialization?

Alexander Fariborzian, MD
Private Practice
Gainesville, FL

I found Dr. Nasrallah’s April editorial interesting because I think morphing our profession is exciting. However, the reasons for the need for transformation were not laid out concretely.

We are always interested in the development of new diagnostic models and novel treatments; however, how can the mental health delivery system be changed? It is huge, poorly funded, and generally not run on the medical model. Community mental health programs tend to be lead by nonpsychiatrists at non-university hospitals. Insurance companies and private payees are reluctant to pay psychiatrists and reimbursements are comparatively lower than other medical specialties, so why would they pay for double-boarded psychiatrists? It doesn’t appear that the market would support further psychiatric education when more lucrative medical professions exist.

Finally, our government and patients want more access to medical care and lower costs. Would our patients and government support and reimburse us for more specialization?

Alexander Fariborzian, MD
Private Practice
Gainesville, FL

I found Dr. Nasrallah’s April editorial interesting because I think morphing our profession is exciting. However, the reasons for the need for transformation were not laid out concretely.

We are always interested in the development of new diagnostic models and novel treatments; however, how can the mental health delivery system be changed? It is huge, poorly funded, and generally not run on the medical model. Community mental health programs tend to be lead by nonpsychiatrists at non-university hospitals. Insurance companies and private payees are reluctant to pay psychiatrists and reimbursements are comparatively lower than other medical specialties, so why would they pay for double-boarded psychiatrists? It doesn’t appear that the market would support further psychiatric education when more lucrative medical professions exist.

Finally, our government and patients want more access to medical care and lower costs. Would our patients and government support and reimburse us for more specialization?

Alexander Fariborzian, MD
Private Practice
Gainesville, FL