Residency Training in Emergency Psychiatry: Changes Between 1980 and 1990

Independent random samples of residency training programs were surveyed in 1980 and in 1990 about their emergency psychiatry training. A larger percentage of the programs required daytime emergency service duty in 1990 (80%), compared with 1980 data (50%), and a larger percentage offered a daytime block training rotation, defined as at least 5 days a week of emergency psychiatry for at least 4 weeks (48%), compared with 23% in 1980. Each sample reported that the most important topics in emergency psychiatry were being taught. In 1990, two trends were noted: 1) more faculty psychiatrist time allocated to the emergency service, and 2) more emergency patient visits per shift. In 1990, the residents said they felt more stressed by the heavy patient load and lack of disposition facilities than in 1980, but less stressed by the lack of faculty interest and backup. Based on the data, the interpretation was made that emergency psychiatry training had improved over this period; however, it was indicated that further improvement was also needed.