Is psychiatry an art or a science? The views of psychiatrists and trainees.
OBJECTIVE
It is generally considered by many practitioners that psychiatry is an art, that is, one of the humanities, as well as being a science. We systematically collected the views of practitioners and trainee psychiatrists regarding the question 'Is psychiatry an art or a science?'


METHODS
Eleven supervisors and nine trainees were interviewed and their responses analysed, using a qualitative method, the modified framework approach.


RESULTS
Several themes emerged from the data: that 'art' and 'science' are different; psychiatry as a discipline is difficult to define; psychiatry demands a broader range of skills than other medical specialties; the relationship of psychology to psychiatry; supervisor cynicism to the 'science' of psychiatry; and the 'art' and 'science' of the assessment process.


CONCLUSIONS
The tension that exists within the profession's identity as a discipline has important implications for teaching, learning, and clinical and research practices.
Chur-Hansen
Anna
A
Department of Psychiatry at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia. anna.churhansen@adelaide.edu.au
Parker
Damon
D
D001154:Art; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004493:Education; D006801:Humans; D011570:Psychiatry; D011584:Psychology; D012586:Science; D013334:Students; D013663:Teaching