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Mental Health Professionals in Rural Areas

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Part of the book series: Mental Health and Illness Worldwide ((MHIW))

Abstract

Most mental health professionals all over the world prefer working in urban areas. As a result rural and remote area psychiatry is often neglected. While the situation is concerning in high-income countries, it is even worse in low- and middle-income countries. Rural psychiatry can be challenging because of poor resources, professional isolation, lack of a team, and perceived lower opportunities for professional growth.

Many countries are thinking of creative and innovative ways of recruiting and retaining psychiatrists for rural mental health services. These include ongoing training, linking them to an academic center, enhancing incentives, and encouragement to develop newer services that are context specific. In addition, a major thrust on training postgraduate trainees in rural psychiatry through immersive methods, such as rural postings, has also shown promise.

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Correspondence to Prabha S. Chandra .

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Chandra, P.S. (2019). Mental Health Professionals in Rural Areas. In: Chaturvedi, S. (eds) Mental Health and Illness in Rural World. Mental Health and Illness Worldwide. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0751-4_26-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0751-4_26-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-0751-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-0751-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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