Abstract

GOLCMAN, Aida Alejandra. Innovative practices in Psychiatry: Argentina, 1960-1970. Rev. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2012, vol.10, n.3, pp.387-401. ISSN 1692-7273.

The paper analyzes innovative psychiatric practices that took place in Argentina during the sixties and seventies at the Hospital Jose Esteves in the province of Buenos Aires. Objective: To present the coexistence of different paradigms related to mental health in the same institution and to analyze the complexities generated by this scenario. Methodology: This study uses primary sources in the form of medical records of patients admitted to the hospital between 1960 and 1979. The medical records were cross-referenced with publications of newspapers and magazines of the time. Results: The analysis shows that the political environment during the era of military dictatorship -characterized by ideological persecution and the inhibition of political expression - influenced the development of innovative psychiatric practices. At the same time, instances of anti-Semitism and ideological persecution among health workers affected therapeutic approaches. Conclusions: While the introduction of innovative practices in mental health led to some resistance among the more orthodox psychiatrists, the presence of different paradigms shows a plan, both political and professional, to transform psychiatry and admission policy in Argentina.

Keywords : Psychiatry; Innovative practices; ideological persecution.

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