Workforce Trends Drive Us Toward ‘The Tipping Point’: Lack of Psychiatrists Affects Mental Health Service Delivery

OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst

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“The number of U.S. medical school seniors entering psychiatry has been generally declining since 1990. Most in the mental health industry recognize that there aren’t enough psychiatrists in America to provide for the diagnostic, medication, and medication monitoring and case management needs related to medication techniques. Patients can wait up to six weeks for an initial appointment and are often treated by foreign born or trained doctors. Patients who are poor and without insurance coverage . . .