A psychiatrist is a medical professional devoted to the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. Psychiatrists have undergraduate medical training identical to all other physicians however they must have additional training, usually 3 to 4 years, to specialise in psychiatry.

Psychiatrists use the biomedical model to

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• Conduct a psychiatric assessment

• Counsel consumers

• Prescribe medication

• Conduct ongoing therapeutic drug monitoring

• Use of psychotherapy and other therapeutic communication techniques.