By Dinah Miller, M.D.
[Winter 2003; Vol. 29, No. 2; Pg 2]
The articles for this season's issue of The Maryland Psychiatrist all have themes that run along the spectrum of hope. Dr. Watkin's essay about her grandmother's illness and unexpected cognitive improvement is an upbeat piece that conveys the sentiment of guarded hopefulness, told with unabashed love. Dr. Klee, in his reflection of psychiatry's progress over the past fifty years, leaves us with an unmitigated sense of despair. The rest of our articles have a more moderate range—a little disheartenment sprinkled with optimism.
I suppose that in these difficult economic times, with budget deficits, Medicare reimbursement cuts, malpractice insurance rate hikes, and the never-ending paper work of mismanaged care, it is a wonder that we even practice psychiatry at all. Almost miraculously, at the end of the proverbial day, many of the patients go home feeling better. It is their recovery, and sometimes even candid gratitude, that keeps us going.
This will be my last issue as Editor of The Maryland Psychiatrist. There are many people I'd like to thank--the wonderful, enthusiastic, and energetic staff at the MPS office, particularly Jennifer Gajewski; the members of the Editorial Advisory Board, the column moderators, and all those who have contributed their writing over the past three years. It has been more fun than effort, and I have enjoyed getting to know so many MPS members. For now, there will be no more e-mails with the subject line titled "Nagmail!". Thank you all; it has been my pleasure.