Psychiatrist--Career Q&A: Professional Advice and Insight

What is it like to be a psychiatrist? In this Career Q&A video interview, John Applegate, M.D. talks about his career path, what he does on the job, and the keys to success practicing psychiatry. He also offers candid advice on breaking into the profession as well as insight into the industry's biggest challenges and how the field may change in the next ten years.

Length: 23 minutes

ORDER CODE: FFM-BVL190221

Copyright date: ©2019

Closed Captioned

Psychiatrist: Main Duties and Responsibilities (00:34)
Dr. John Applegate works with middle-age adults in a veteran's hospital and in a private practice.

Psychiatrist: Career Beginnings (01:19)
Dr. Applegate discusses how he has always been fascinated by people's life stories and how biology affects an individual's mindset.

Psychiatrist: Keys for Success (01:48)
One needs to be curious, enjoy listening, and have perseverance. Psychiatrists need to attend medical school and a residency program.

Psychiatrist: Education and Certification Requirements (03:05)
Psychiatrists need to attend college, medical school, and a residency program. Board certifications include tests on general medical knowledge, psychiatry, and patient evaluation. Every two years each psychiatrist must perform hours of continuing education credits to keep their license current.

Psychiatrist: Workplace Atmosphere (01:37)
Dr. Applegate enjoys the different venues of practice available and seeing varied types of individuals. Locum Tenens employees travel to areas of need.

Psychiatrist: Advice for Aspiring Pros (02:35)
Do not practice in a way that compromises quality care. Dr. Applegate does not take health insurance because he does not want to only dispense medications. Create a demand that fits your philosophy.

Psychiatrist: A Day on the Job (03:16)
Dr. Applegate counsels using the biopsychosocial-spiritual model of psychiatry. He begins his day by reading the Bible with a cup of coffee and divides his day between the veteran's hospital and private practice.

Psychiatrist: Industry Goals and Services (02:16)
Psychiatry is derived from the Greek words for "soul care." The field wants to understand human behavior and help patients when mental health causes problems. Psychologists have less of an emphasis on biological components.

Psychiatrist: Industry Challenges (02:22)
Managed care is changing the landscape of health care; psychiatrists are incentivized to see more people in less time. The opioid crisis is a response to the lack of adequate mental health care. There are 30,000 fewer psychiatrists than needed.

Psychiatrist: Looking at the Future (03:25)
Psychiatry will incorporate genetic tests to tailor medications to specific individuals. There could be non-medicine based treatments including magnets and precision imaging.