Career Choices: Community mental health in an urban/public setting

Dr. Stanciu: What are some challenges in working with this population?

Dr. Wadhwania: Based on the high volume of patients we encounter, the resources available in the community are limited. But this challenges us to be creative and maximize what we have available to create new resources, such as having on-site case managers rather than just in the community, and building psychosocial rehabilitation programs near our various clinics for the patients to bring them the best care possible. Other challenges include a lack of education on and awareness of mental illness; there is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental illness in the community.

Dr. Stanciu: How would you describe your experience working in this setting?

Dr. Wadhwania: It’s a very rewarding experience, as you get to be creative, and patients appreciate your efforts. We use a patient-centered approach, and we work as a team. Each team member brings in a unique set of skills, and we bounce ideas off each other. There is a sense of satisfaction when you help people who don’t have easy access to health care. Finally, in a setting like this, young psychiatrists are able to gain more opportunities earlier than they would while working in other settings.

Continue to: How did you career path prepare you to work in such a challenging setting?