Why a career in psychiatry?. (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Varun
• Is Part Of: Australasian psychiatry. Volume 22:Number 3(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 296
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: career -- psychiatry -- biopsychosocial model -- poetry; Psychiatry -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1177/1039856214531461
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1039-8562

Abstract

Objectives: To reflect upon the factors that might motivate one to undertake a career in psychiatry from the personal perspective of a current registrar in training. Conclusions: The reasons for choosing a career path in psychiatry are complex, and relate to an individual doctor's life experience, training experiences and own value system. Dissatisfaction with the traditional "medical model" of illness may be a contributing factor, with a perception that psychiatry may embrace the biopsychosocial model of illness more fully. Beyond this, a particular interest in the poetry inherent to an individual's story and appreciation of the artistic underpinnings of medicine may also contribute.