Community psychiatrists who see geriatric patients: what's training got to do with it?
- PMID: 15140805
- DOI: 10.1176/appi.ap.28.1.27
Community psychiatrists who see geriatric patients: what's training got to do with it?
Abstract
Objective: This study examines the issues influencing psychiatrists' decisions to provide care to the under-served geriatric population.
Methods: Community-based psychiatrists who see geriatric patients participated in focus group discussions exploring factors that influence the characteristics of their current practices.
Results: Personal themes, environmental issues and quality of residency training emerged as important factors interacting in eventual practice choice. Major influences within training programs included teachers, diverse patient exposure and high-quality essential skills teaching.
Conclusion: Residency program curricula might capitalize on these to better prepare residents and enhance the likelihood of graduates eventually choosing to incorporate geriatric patients into their practices.