ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part provides a ‘state of the art’ review of the methodology of clinical trials of psychotropic drugs. One of the most important of these was the trial of the treatment of depressive illness organized by a special subcommittee of the Medical Research Council (MRC 1965), of which Michael Shepherd was the secretary. The part describes behavioural approaches in the family management of schizophrenia, emphasize the importance of the multi-disciplinary team in this context. The concept of the multi-disciplinary team, and the nature and responsibilities of its members, are especially important at a time when, as at present, services are undergoing rapid change. It is now widely accepted that the primary care services play a pivotal role in providing mental health care to the community.
