NIMH (National Inst. of Mental Health) Clinical Training Payback Program: Development of Criteria for Shortage Areas of Mental Health Professionals

摘要

This project provides general history and description of government-sponsored programs supporting professional education in exchange for service payback, and an overview of five programs similar in many respects to that envisioned by NIMH. Data is discussed on the supply and distribution of mental health professionals as a prelude to considering shortage area designation. A description is given of the need for the core professionals as developed through a literature search and discussions with NIMH officials, staff of professional associations, and individuals currently engaged in service delivery programs in the field. Shortage area criteria for mental health progessionals are dealt with, along with the NIMH criteria for shortage areas implicit in the program's draft guidelines for the payback component. Recommendations are presented for the installation and monitoring of the NIMH payback program.