We have another report regarding the decreasing numbers of psychiatrists, this time from Alabama. See our earlier reports here
A shortage of psychiatrists, both in-state trainees and out-of-state recruits, in the state of Alabama has proved to be an increasing problem over the past decade.A draft copy of the study can be seen in full here
In a study conducted by Dr. Richard Powers in April 2007, Alabama has only 7.1 psychiatrists per 100,000, while other neighboring states have 8.1 and the nation has 13.7, according to Understanding the Shortage of Psychiatrists and Selected other
Mental Health Professionals in Alabama.
Powers cites this shortage due to lack of funding for psychiatry programs, a shortage of in-patient beds, difficulties for physicians to obtain practicing licenses and an overall decline in the retention rate of Alabama psychiatrists.
The University of South Alabama offers one of the two only psychiatry programs in the state of Alabama. Both programs at USA and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have experienced difficulties, according to Powers' study.
Each experienced difficulties in training the maximum number of psychiatrists, many of whom practice in other states after training.
"The University of South Alabama suffered from management issues and the program at UAB suffered from a shortage of funding to support the maximum number of candidates," the study states.
[...]
The University of South Alabama College of Medicine department of psychiatry program works to combat these shortages through its funding, programs and output of trained graduates on a yearly basis.
[...]
No comments:
Post a Comment