A shortage of psychiatrists?

USA Today recently reported that demand for psychiatrists is climbing faster than for any other medical specialty. From April 2009 to March 2010, the company Merritt Hawkins received 179 requests for psychiatrists — a 47% increase from the previous year and 121% increase from the 2006-2007 survey.

There are concerns that supply of psychiatry trainees is not keeping pace with the increased demand. Shankar Yalamanchili, a psychiatrist with River Region Psychiatry in Montgomery, Ala., says doctors who perform medical procedures make more money than psychiatrists who converse with patients. He said "I get paid more for treating a zit than I get for sitting down for half an hour talking to a patient."

Kurt Mosley, Merritt Hawkins' vice president of strategic services, says it's "the perfect storm right now" as more than half of all psychiatrists age 55 and older are nearing retirement, and there aren't enough physicians to take their spots. The lack of psychiatrists in Iowa has been so bad that several hospitals have had to close their inpatient psychiatric care units, says Scott Lindsley, operations director for Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Curved or Straight?

Elephant Illusion

How many legs does this elephant have?

More Illusions

Do you see the native american wearing a head dress, or the inuit wearing a fluffy coat and entering an igloo?

Young or Old?

Can you see both the young woman and the old woman in this classic optical illusion?

If you need some help, the eye of the old woman is the ear of the young woman. The old woman's mouth is the young woman's necklace.

Are We Waking up to the Cost of Dementia Care?

The BBC today report that the cost associated with dementia is more than 1% of the world's gross domestic product this year at £388bn.

The number of people with dementia is expected to double by 2030, and more than triple by 2050. But experts say the costs of caring for people with dementia are likely to rise even faster than the prevalence, especially in the developing world, with more formal social care costs.

Professor Martin Prince, of the UK's Institute of Psychiatry and who co-authored the report, urged nations to develop better plans for caring for the millions who have the disease. "Governments must show greater leadership, working with all stakeholders, to drive solutions to the long term care issue."

Right or Left?

A Timely Letter

Yesterday the Times newspaper printed a letter by Dr Christoph Lees and Dr Mark Slack. Both Consultants at Addenbrooke's Hospital. The letter was entitled 'Medical Training, Freedom and Fun.' The letter was about doctor training and the impact of the EWTD (European Working Time Directive). They stated 'None of us wants to return to 90-plus-hour weeks but a modest uplift in the hours stipulated by the EWTD would allow trainee doctors greater freedom and satisfaction...The result would be greater continuity in training, with consultants being able to guide the trainee doctor exclusively for a period during which their clinical skills are acquired.'

The photograph shows Andrew Lansely back in 2007 helping to campaign to improve doctor training and hence patient safety. Now he is Health Secretary I look forward to watching him acting the best interests of patients. He needs to work fast to ensure UK doctor training remains globally respected.

The book to watch out for

If you are thinking of ordering a book, look no further than the excellent new novel 'Law and Peace' by Tim Kevan. It has been described as a funny, fast-paced Machiavellian romp through the legal world. It can be pre-ordered here.

North West Durham on Election Night.

Congratulations to Pat Glass MP, I wish her well in representing all of her constituents including those who voted for her, those who voted for others, and those who decided not to vote at all. The candidates in North West Durham fought a good clean campaign, showing you can disagree without being disagreeable, leaving the debate to be about policy rather than just personality. I wish Prime Minister David Cameron every success in leading our great country.