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In 1950 the Boston State Hospital was one of the Achievement Award winners of Mental Hospital Service of the American Psychiatric Association commending it for its highly effective functioning which was reflected in all spheres of activity with resulting benefits to its patients. In view of the fact that some of the Members and Candidates of the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, Inc., have been a vital force in the development of a program of dynamic psychiatry in this Hospital, it was thought worth while to describe some aspects of the functioning of the psychoanalysts in this Hospital.
Dr. Walter E. Barton, the Superintendent, has been most receptive to psychoanalytic principles and has created an atmosphere which has enhanced the development of training, therapy and research. Dr. Elvin V. Semrad, a Member of the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, Inc., is Clinical Director, and has played an important role in transmitting psychoanalytic theories and practices into the organization. Drs. Barton and Semrad collaborated in the preparation of the following material.
The analyst's understanding of human dynamics translated into operational terms is reflected not only in the case of the patient but in his therapy. Each of the analytically oriented psychiatrists on the staff participates in supervising the work of residents. In trying to describe the contributions of an analyst to the program in a State Hospital, it might be of interest to indicate some of the qualities that such an analyst should possess:
He should have had a broad clinical experience in a State Hospital. This would require familiarity with the magnitude of the task, the necessity of obtaining quick results, the recognition of the limitations of staff personnel, the ability to recognize and characterize appropriately the different types of psychotic reactions, and above all the proper application of psychotherapy.
He must accept graciously the realistic conditions at a State Hosp