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Diversification or dilution? Perspectives on generalism and subspecialization in modern psychiatry

Nature Mental Health volume 2, pages 6–8 (2024)Cite this article

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This article explores debates in psychiatry about generalism and subspecialization, illustrating the potential benefits and issues of each in the context of service delivery and education founded on the biopsychosocial model. Recommendations are given to respond to varying global dynamics and support moves toward patient-centred care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Michael Liebrenz & Alexander J. Smith

  2. Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences, Kings College London, London, UK

    Dinesh Bhugra

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany

    Peter Falkai

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Anna Buadze & Erich Seifritz

Authors
  1. Michael Liebrenz
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  2. Alexander J. Smith
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  3. Dinesh Bhugra
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  4. Peter Falkai
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  5. Anna Buadze
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  6. Erich Seifritz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Liebrenz.

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Competing interests

P.F. is the past president of the European Psychiatric Association. D.B. has previously been president of the British Medical Association, the World Psychiatric Association and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

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Liebrenz, M., Smith, A.J., Bhugra, D. et al. Diversification or dilution? Perspectives on generalism and subspecialization in modern psychiatry. Nat. Mental Health 2, 6–8 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-023-00175-0

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