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. 2022 Feb;46(1):45-49.
doi: 10.1007/s40596-019-01167-y. Epub 2020 Jan 3.

An Exploratory Survey of Career Choice, Training, and Practice Trends in Early Career Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists and Fellows

Andrea Mann  1 , Thomas Tarshis  2 , Shashank V Joshi  3
Affiliations

An Exploratory Survey of Career Choice, Training, and Practice Trends in Early Career Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists and Fellows

Andrea Mann et al. Acad Psychiatry. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: A pilot survey was created to sample early career child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs) and fellows to identify factors contributing to recruitment, satisfaction, and general practice trends.

Method: A 44-item survey was developed based on a previous study of early career CAPs and discussion at an early career forum. Participants were recruited at a professional meeting and through emails sent to all 125 US training program directors.

Results: Only 184 out of 2209 responses were received. Approximately two-thirds were female and one-third had completed fellowship. Most decided to pursue a career in child psychiatry during medical school and expected full time salaries between $175,000 and $250,000 after fellowship. Forty-five percent owed more than $150,000 in educational debt. The top reasons for pursuing a career in child psychiatry included the following: working with children, working in an interesting field, and helping society. Males (x = 85.7, SD 22.9) compared with females (x = 77.5, SD 25.3) were more interested in pursuing full time work. A higher proportion of participants were confident in prescribing medications (x = 79.9, SD 17.1) compared with providing psychotherapy (X = 63.3, SD 23.9).

Conclusions: The vast majority of early career CAPs were recruited during medical school, motivated by altruistic reasons, and rated high confidence in their career choice despite significant student loan debt. Training directors should consider increasing competency in psychotherapeutic skills. Early child psychiatry exposure and a means of addressing physician debt are needed to improve recruitment to this specialty.

Keywords: Child and adolescent psychiatry; Physician shortage; Recruitment; Training.

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