24
MENTAL WELFARE
The Personnel of
a
Psychiatric Clinic
The New York City Committee on Mental Hygiene of the State Charities Aid Association, together with the Mental Hygiene Section of the Welfare Council of New York City, undertook in 1929 a Survey of Mental Hygiene Facilities in Greater New York and were impressed by the fact that of the 20,000 patients admitted to clinics every year, nearly 7,000 failed to return for subsequent visits. The reason for this state of things was not immediately apparent, but it seemed to certain members of the Committee that it might have some connection with the standard of training, or lack of training, of the Clinics' personnel. This and other considerations led the New York City Committee on Mental Hygiene to undertake, in 1934, a study of the clinic situation in New York designed to elicit information as to the professional equipment of Clinic staffs and to ascertain if standards could be formulated with regard to the minimum qualifications considered essential for psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric social workers. In a pamphlet recently published, the recommendations arising out of this enquiry are given, and the following summarises what, in the opinion of the Committee, should be the minimum qualifications of the professional members of Clinic staffs:
(1) Medical Staff Junior Assistant?In addition to medical degree, at least one year of successful in-patient work as clinical psychiatrist in mental hospital with supplementary experience in clinical neurology, neuropathology, institutional work for defectives, delinquents or epileptics, and/or in general medical or pediatric practice. Assistants?The essentials of above, plus at least two years of additional experience in general or specialised aspects of psychiatry, with experience in clinical service of at least 2 years of not less than two half-days a week as Junior Assistant or equivalent, in a fully organised clinic. Also desirable?preparation for psychoanalytic practice and experience in community education in mental hygiene. Director?All the qualifications as above with, in addition, a diploma in psychiatry or its equivalent, and not less than 2 additional years of experience in a fully organised psychiatric clinic, which period should include additional experience in clinic administration or in community education in mental hygiene. Also desirable?experience in forensic psychiatry, and directive ability. (2) Psychological Staff Junior Assistant Psychologist?Should have had one year of graduate study in psychology, equivalent to requirements for degree of M.A., including courses in abnormal psychology, psychological testing and measurement, statistics and laboratory training in clinical use of tests. Assistant Psychologist?As above, with, if possible, training in educational psychology, remedial measures in educational disabilities and vocational guidance. Also 2 years of full time clinical experience at level of Junior Psychologist, of which one year shall involve joint work with psychiatrists and psychiatric social workers dealing with behaviour problems.
MENTAL WELFARE
25
Chief Psychologist?Should have had at least 2 full years of graduate experience in psychology. Ph.D. degree desirable though not essential. At least 5 years of experience at level of Junior Assistant and Assistant Psychologist. Must also possess ability to conduct research as demonstrated by completed research projects. of
the above
standards, the Committee make the
As
a
(1)
That colleges and universities map out courses for the training of clinical psychologists. That training centres be established in which Junior Assistant Psychologists may acquire experience under supervision. That hospitals, agencies and schools be encouraged to employ psychologists who have the requisite experience and training.
realising following suggestions: (2) (3)
means
Social Workers Assistants?Should be graduates of college of recognised standing and of an accredited school of social work with at least 800 supervised field-work hours of experience in psychiatric agencies. At least one Assistant should have had also a minimum of one year's post-training experience under supervision. Chief Social Worker?In addition to above, should have had minimum of 3 years post-training case work practice, preferably with two of these years in a psychiatric clinic and at least one year in a supervisory
Psychiatric
capacity.
MENTAL WELFARE
The Personnel of
a
Psychiatric Clinic
The New York City Committee on Mental Hygiene of the State Charities Aid Association, together with the Mental Hygiene Section of the Welfare Council of New York City, undertook in 1929 a Survey of Mental Hygiene Facilities in Greater New York and were impressed by the fact that of the 20,000 patients admitted to clinics every year, nearly 7,000 failed to return for subsequent visits. The reason for this state of things was not immediately apparent, but it seemed to certain members of the Committee that it might have some connection with the standard of training, or lack of training, of the Clinics' personnel. This and other considerations led the New York City Committee on Mental Hygiene to undertake, in 1934, a study of the clinic situation in New York designed to elicit information as to the professional equipment of Clinic staffs and to ascertain if standards could be formulated with regard to the minimum qualifications considered essential for psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric social workers. In a pamphlet recently published, the recommendations arising out of this enquiry are given, and the following summarises what, in the opinion of the Committee, should be the minimum qualifications of the professional members of Clinic staffs:
(1) Medical Staff Junior Assistant?In addition to medical degree, at least one year of successful in-patient work as clinical psychiatrist in mental hospital with supplementary experience in clinical neurology, neuropathology, institutional work for defectives, delinquents or epileptics, and/or in general medical or pediatric practice. Assistants?The essentials of above, plus at least two years of additional experience in general or specialised aspects of psychiatry, with experience in clinical service of at least 2 years of not less than two half-days a week as Junior Assistant or equivalent, in a fully organised clinic. Also desirable?preparation for psychoanalytic practice and experience in community education in mental hygiene. Director?All the qualifications as above with, in addition, a diploma in psychiatry or its equivalent, and not less than 2 additional years of experience in a fully organised psychiatric clinic, which period should include additional experience in clinic administration or in community education in mental hygiene. Also desirable?experience in forensic psychiatry, and directive ability. (2) Psychological Staff Junior Assistant Psychologist?Should have had one year of graduate study in psychology, equivalent to requirements for degree of M.A., including courses in abnormal psychology, psychological testing and measurement, statistics and laboratory training in clinical use of tests. Assistant Psychologist?As above, with, if possible, training in educational psychology, remedial measures in educational disabilities and vocational guidance. Also 2 years of full time clinical experience at level of Junior Psychologist, of which one year shall involve joint work with psychiatrists and psychiatric social workers dealing with behaviour problems.
MENTAL WELFARE
25
Chief Psychologist?Should have had at least 2 full years of graduate experience in psychology. Ph.D. degree desirable though not essential. At least 5 years of experience at level of Junior Assistant and Assistant Psychologist. Must also possess ability to conduct research as demonstrated by completed research projects. of
the above
standards, the Committee make the
As
a
(1)
That colleges and universities map out courses for the training of clinical psychologists. That training centres be established in which Junior Assistant Psychologists may acquire experience under supervision. That hospitals, agencies and schools be encouraged to employ psychologists who have the requisite experience and training.
realising following suggestions: (2) (3)
means
Social Workers Assistants?Should be graduates of college of recognised standing and of an accredited school of social work with at least 800 supervised field-work hours of experience in psychiatric agencies. At least one Assistant should have had also a minimum of one year's post-training experience under supervision. Chief Social Worker?In addition to above, should have had minimum of 3 years post-training case work practice, preferably with two of these years in a psychiatric clinic and at least one year in a supervisory
Psychiatric
capacity.
