Organization development (OD) strategy in the developmental process of the therapeutic community

Abstract

Matti Isohanni, MD, has since 1971 focused his clinical and research interest on the therapeutic community principle and practice. He acts as senior psychiatrist in a closed, mixed ward at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oulu, Finland.

The traditional role of the ward psychiatrist has been that of psychotherapist in dyadic situations. Since the beginning and spread of milieu therapy and therapeutic communities, the role of the ward psychiatrist has become more complex. Patients' social context in the mental hospital, and its regulation are essential in the successful treatment process. In the following article an Organization Development (OD) strategy for the therapeutic community is presented. The procedure is based mainly on general system theory. The theory, practice and results of this strategy are discussed.