This paper considers reasons that may be contributing to the unusual synchronicity of five vacancies for Chairs/Heads of Department of Psychiatry in the Group of Eight University Medical Schools in March 2019.
Conclusion:
University psychiatric departmental head vacancies arise from a number of factors: challenges and limitations in public sector psychiatry and universities; structural problems with such appointments; lack of a developmental pipeline for academic psychiatry; and other attractive alternative options, such as private practice.
HendersonSPorterRJBassetD, et al. Why academic psychiatry is endangered. Aust N Z J Psychiatry2015; 49: 9–12.
2.
LooiJCKiselySR.So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past - continued inaction on public mental health services. Aust N Z J Psychiatry2018; 52: 824–825.
3.
LooiJCBonnerDMaguireP, et al. Salt in the soul, steel in the eye and caution towards the winds: a mariner’s guide for navigating a new academic psychiatry department. Australas Psychiatry2017; 25: 588–595.
4.
ParkerG.The passing of ‘the Prof’. Br J Psychiatry2016; 208:106–107.
5.
LooiJC.Be like water: a personal strategy for clinical psychiatric research. Australas Psychiatry2019; 27: 75–79.
6.
LooiJCKiselySRMerrySN, et al. Reviving the ethos of scientific research in psychiatric practice. Aust N Z J Psychiatry2013; 47: 309–311.
7.
MohanABayesASachdevPS, et al. Junior clinical academic psychiatrists in Australia: the University of New South Wales initiative. Australas Psychiatry2019; 27: 241–244.
