The literature describing the development of community psychiatry is briefly reviewed with special emphasis on the application of its ideas to the lower socio-economic group.
Characteristics of lower class patients are described with some specific problems inherent in their outpatient care. A home visiting program is briefly described.
Situational factors and personal characteristics of lower class patients are considered to be more important in affecting therapy unfavourably than are biases in the therapist and communication problems.
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