Development of psychiatric care in semi-urban and rural areas of Costa Rica
Gallegos Chacón, A.
Acta Psiquiatrica y Psicologica de America Latina 24(4): 287-292
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6896 PMID: 377914 Document Number: 131236
Information is given concerning the historical background of Psychiatric Services in Costa Rica. These services have been rendered since the year 1890 when a European style Asylum was opened in San José, the Capital City. The first residency program in Psichiatry begun in the early sixties with its projection into Community Psychiatry during the third year of training as well as the first actions trying to demonstrate to the administrators the usefullness and extension of Mental Health programmes for the future of the country. The residency training program evolved into a national program offering psychiatric assistance throughout the country. Seven out-patient facilities in the metropolitan area plus eleven out-patient facilities in semi-urban and rural areas were founded. To motivate the newly graduated psychiatrists to accept their designation in smaller towns and villages for a full time work was possible because of the experience that they had in Community Psychiatry during their training, there was a clear understanding when signing for the residency programme that at least for two years, they would work in the provinces. A closed relationship after their training with the National Psychiatric Hospital and the Coordination of National Psychiatric Services was kept. In the local, semi-rural communities, the Psychiatrists can hospitalize their train-in local general Hospitals and work closely with the rest of the medical staff.