· The Role of the Psychologist [I965]

Although our chairman, in his invitation to participate, called for a "blueprint," I am sure that he did not intend us to be as rigid as this word would ordinarily imply. He undoubtedly merely wanted us to provide a general architectural drawing of the possibilities in the field, a drawing of sufficient detail to serve as a useful guide to immediate practice but sufficiently flexible to allow for the changes which are likely to occur in the course of social developments over the years. Above all, in trying to meet this request, I know that I am not making suggestions for the establishment of a psychiatric unit in an ordinary general hospital. The primary personnel for such an institution are psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and perhaps social workers. Other groups of professionals are more or less useful, but not essential. However, in the kind of hospital represented by Mount Sinai, other disciplines and services do become essential. I am cognizant of Mount Sinai's high standards; consequently, in making suggestions for psychology, I am thinking of Mount Sinai's achieving a position in relation to psychology of the kind achieved by the Menninger Clinic among private hospitals and Worcester among state hospitals. Essentially, I am guided by thinking of the place of psychology in an ideal institution (to borrow part of the title of a well-known report).