Community psychiatry and the Pan American Health Organization: the Jamaican experience.
The development of a modern psychiatric service in Jamaica and the role played by PAHO consultants in this development is described. Some fundamental points are raised: -It is essential that a director of mental health services and a senior psychiatric nurse be given senior positions in the Ministry of Health so that the psychiatric services receive due attention and are integrated closely with the other health services. -The local training of psychiatric professionals of all categories is essential for such a service and should be given priority by the Government. -The intelligent use of a large number of briefly trained individuals is the only way to provide psychiatric coverage in a developing country. -PAHO consultants assigned to work in a developing country over an extended period can play a useful role in the introduction of contemporary psychiatric services.
D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D004501:Education, Medical; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004506:Education, Nursing; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D009934:Organization and Administration; D009986:Orthopsychiatry / Q000193:education; D010175:Pan American Health Organization; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education