The Provision of Psychiatric Care in Romania – Need for Change or Change of Needs?

The reform of the mental health system in Europe takes place under the umbrella of deinstitutionalization, development of alternative community services, integration of health services and integration with social services (Becker and Vazquez-Barquero, 2001). Current article discusses the reform of the mental health system in Romania by using the results of two studies. The goal was to draw an overview of the reform processes in Romania in the last few years by analysing in parallel the actual status of mental health inpatient and community services. One study was conducted in 2007-2008 where a diagnosis of psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric inpatient units in general hospitals took place. The second study conducted in 2006 addressed the development of community mental health services. The results show that developing a strategic approach for change at system level is most urgently needed. This should be characterised by a clear vision at decision making level, by coupling of responsibilities for reform with the resources needed to conduct change, and by cooperation among the involved institutional stakeholders.