Flying Psychiatrist

The first airborne psychiatrist in Korea, Capt. Richard E. Turk '46, assigned to the Medical Corps of the 5th Air Force Headquarters, has returned to duty in this country, enthusiastic about the new medical service recently inaugurated by the Air Force. Before the change of emphasis from land to air combat took place, psychiatrists were generally grounded. But within the last year the Air Force decided to fly its psychiatrists wherever they were needed. Captain Turk was on call for any request from a flight surgeon or unit dispensary physician in any part of the Korean fighting area.

In an interview to his hometown newspaper in Staten Island, the Advance, Captain Turk said, "It has been established that treatment is more effective when given early and as close as possible to the unit where the problem originates." Keeping a man on the job and helping him to cope with immediate problems formed a large part of Captain Turk's duties. He considered that boredom, idleness, lack of diversion, inconveniences, and difficulty in adjusting to a new environment were common contributing factors to mental disturbance in Korea. Medico-legal consultations, given before a man was tried or disciplined for a legal offense, were also part of Captain Turk's assignment. The most severely affected men were not treated but sent directly to Japan and to the United States.

Captain Turk believes that the overall effect of the "flying psychiatrist" in Korea has cut down the number of patients flown to Japan, established a more consistent policy of care, and helped other doctors understand and participate in psychiatric treatment.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical School, Captain Turk engaged in residence practice in Highland Alameda County Hospital in Oakland, Calif., and at the Boston Psychiatric Hospital. He is now on Air Force duty at Amarillo, Texas.