Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes the contribution of medical anthropologists to medical education by increasing the sensitivity of health professionals. It deals with the aspects of transcultural psychiatry that have become increasingly important for the optimum development of psychiatric services at the present time. Indeed, several contributors have emphasised why some aspects of transcultural psychiatry are 'no go' areas not only for research workers but for clinicians as well, especially if such personnel belong to the majority white community. Since the international conference on transcultural psychiatry held in Bradford ten years ago, there has been much turbulent thinking, not only as to how transcultual psychiatry can 'begin at home', but also about its social and political aspects. Transcultural psychiatry is now inescapably embedded in ordinary clinical practice.