Letter: State innovating to meet mental health needs

Friday, June 25, 2004 | 9:01 a.m.

I am writing in reference to Sun reporter Beth Slovic's June 7 article headlined, "Medical Residents OK'd for Mental Center."

The article referenced a recent decision by the Medical Examiner's Board to allow physicians in their third year of specialty training in family medicine to perform medical histories and physicals at Southern Nevada Mental Health Services. It was clear from reading this article that Ms. Slovic is not aware of the extensive training and supervision that physicians receive prior to entering into their third year of residency training. In addition, Ms. Slovic's article did not address the mental health care needs of our state.

Physicians must complete four years of college, four years of medical school, and then must pass multiple exams prior to receiving a medical diploma. Residency training allows a physician, after graduating from medical school, to specialize in the field of his or her choice. By the time a resident physician enters their third year of training, they have performed thousands of hours of history taking and physical exams.

After one year of postgraduate training, many states, including California, allow a physician to have an unlimited license and practice independently. Nevada's criteria for licensure are much more stringent. Medical doctors are not granted an unrestricted license until they have at least three years of residency training and also pass parts 1, 2 and 3 of the U. S. Medical Licensing Exam.

Nevada ranks No. 3 in the suicide rate in the U.S. (down from No. 1 the previous year), and also ranks in the bottom five states when it comes to alcoholism, drug use and its number of psychiatrists. The University of Nevada School of Medicine is addressing the medical needs of our state and has recently started a psychiatry residency program in Las Vegas.

Innovative solutions to our mental health needs should be applauded and supported by the Las Vegas Sun and our community.

DR. THOMAS J. HUNT

Editor's note: Dr. Thomas J. Hunt, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, is residency director of the university's Family Medicine Residency Program.