Power and knowledge in psychiatry and the troubling case of Dr Osheroff.
OBJECTIVE
To consider the state of knowledge in psychiatry with reference to the 'Osheroff debate' about the treatment of depression.


METHODS
A review of the key philosophical issues regarding the nature of knowledge applied to the Osheroff case.


RESULTS
There is an apparent dichotomy between knowledge derived from a reductionist scientific method, as manifest in evidence-based medicine, and that of a narrative form of knowledge derived from clinical experience. The Focauldian notion of knowledge/power and knowledge as discourse suggests that scientific knowledge dominates over narrative knowledge in psychiatry. The implication of this applied to the Osheroff case is the potential annihilation of all forms of knowledge other than science.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge in psychiatry is a pluralist, rather than singularly scientific enterprise. In the Osheroff case, the potential for scientific knowledge to abolish other forms of knowledge posed a serious threat of weakening the profession. In the light of the current debate about best practice, there is a need for reconsideration of the implications of Osheroff.
Robertson
Michael
M
Department of Psychiatry, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia. michael.robertson@mayo.net.au
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D001290:Attitude; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003379:Countertransference; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D019359:Knowledge; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D009289:Narcissism; D010349:Patient Compliance; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010684:Philosophy; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history*; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic