title: The state of psychiatry in the Netherlands: strength by quality, influence by capabilities.
abstract: Psychiatry and mental healthcare in the Netherlands has a long history of institutional care, slowly more adapted to the community, but differentiated from mainstream healthcare in terms of organization and remuneration. It is in a crucial phase of reconsideration. Along with harsh cuts on the budgets in healthcare, the field is in transition where training is concerned. The good news is that in fruitful cooperation the government and all spcialist parties involved in mental healthcare are on the verge of reaching an important agreement that should make mental healthcare more patient centred, affordable and accessible for those who need it. The bad news that needs serious consideration and ongoing action is that mental health problems are still highly stigmatized and that as a result the government could impose an unjust and unfair own financial contribution for users in mental care as a means of lowering the costs in the field.
authors.affiliation: Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maarten A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van Schijndel
authors.forename: Wieneke L J
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Gerrits
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Niesink
authors.forename: Rutger Jan
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van der Gaag
mesh_terms: D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000266:history; D009426:Netherlands; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history