As well, the World Psychiatric Association Committee on Education defines the importance of personal care in the proper practice of medicine as the primary role of psychiatrists. One cannot teach what one does not practise. There are many areas ripe for investigation to protect the espoused concept of the biopsychosocial approach. Few studies exist on the effects of a parent s illness on children s behaviour and development, and even fewer studies examine the effects on the spouse and grandparents, who often end up taking responsibility for the patient s care. Epidemiology and evaluative studies are laying the groundwork for effective action in such areas.
Psychiatry faces a number of challenges.
The first is dealing with the stigma that is still attached to mental illness. Tuberculosis faced this same stigma until cures were found, and cancer was once in a similar position. Unfortunately, psychiatry remains under this cloud. People fear for their jobs if it becomes known that they have sought psychiatric help. Employers are aware of the cost to their businesses from psychiatric illness, absenteeism, or poor performance but are most reluctant to talk about this publicly unless they can remain anonymous.