Parity of esteem within the biopsychosocial model: is psychiatry still a psychological profession?

Abstract

In recent years, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has been engaged in activities to ensure parity of esteem for mental health within the National Health Service, seeking to bring resources and services more in line with those available for physical health conditions. Central to this has been the promotion of psychiatry as a profession that takes a biopsychosocial approach, considering all aspects of the patient's presentation and history in the understanding and treatment of mental disorders. However, there has been a drift away from considering the psychological aspects of the patient's difficulties in recent years. This potentially has profoundly negative consequences for clinical care, training, workforce retention and the perception of our identity as psychiatrists by our colleagues, our patients and the general public. This editorial describes this issue, considers its causes and suggests potential remedies. It arises from an overarching strategy originating in the Royal College of Psychiatrists Medical Psychotherapy Faculty to ensure parity of esteem for the psychological within the biopsychosocial model.

Keywords

• Formulation
• professional identity of psychiatrists
• relational care
• psychotherapeutic psychiatry
• biopsychosocial approach to psychiatry