I think you're right and it's a stark manifestation of how mental illness is seen altogether. I don't think you would want to live in a society where shamans are in charge of other people's lives.

I find it very surprising that any medical doctor would be willing to prescribe powerful drugs to you without having the means to examine you in person. I even wonder about the professionalism of doctors willing to call in prescriptions without verifying that I do in fact has strep throat.