Administration of cognitive behavioral therapy in general hospitals

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, and other psychiatric disorders. Although it is preferable that CBT be offered to all psychiatric patients who need CBT, it difficult for general hospital psychiatrists to routinely administer CBT to depressive patients because hospital psychiatrists are usually too busy attending to an ever-increasing number of patients. However, CBT training is important because CBT helps psychiatrists and comedical staff to develop therapeutic skills, facilitate team treatment, and improve psychiatric educational programs. CBT could be administered more easily in general hospital psychiatry by using low intensity CBT, such as self-help CBT guides, and computer- or internet-based self-help programs.