What Makes Residents Interested in Geriatric Psychiatry? A Pan-Canadian Online Survey of Psychiatry Residents
Soham Rej, M.D., Vincent Laliberté, M.D., M.Sc., Mark J. Rapoport, M.D., FRCPC, Dallas Seitz, M.D., Ph.D., FRCPC, Melissa Andrew, M.D., M.Ed., FRCPC, Marla Davidson, M.D., FRCPC
The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
6 September 2014
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1064748114002516
Abstract:
Objectives
In spite of a rapidly increasing need, there remains a shortage of geriatric psychiatrists in North America. The factors associated with psychiatric residents' interest in geriatric psychiatry have not yet been examined in a nationally-representative sample.
Design
Cross-Sectional Study
Setting
Web-Based Online Survey of Canadian psychiatry residents
Participants
Two-hundred and seven psychiatry residents (24.3% response rate)
Measurements
The main outcome was interest in becoming a geriatric psychiatrist. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to better understand what demographic, educational, and vocational variables were associated with interest in becoming a geriatric psychiatrist.
Results
A number of respondents had an interest in becoming a geriatric psychiatrist (29.0%, n=60); in doing a geriatric psychiatry fellowship (20.3 %, n=42); or an interest in doing geriatric psychiatry as a part of the clinical practice (60.0%, n=124). Demographic characteristics (e.g. age, gender, ethnicity) did not correlate with interest in geriatric psychiatry. The variables most robustly associated with interest in geriatric psychiatry were: 1) completion of geriatric psychiatry rotation(s) before 3rd year of residency (OR 5.13 [95%CI: 1.23-21.4]); 2) comfort working with geriatric patients and their families (OR 18.6 [95%CI: 2.09-165.3]); 3) positive experiences caring for older adults prior to medical school (OR 12.4 [95%CI: 1.07-144.5]); and 4) the presence of annual conferences in the resident’s field of interest (OR 4.50 [95%CI: 1.12-18.2]).
Conclusion
Exposing medical students and junior psychiatry residents to clinical geriatric psychiatry rotations that increase comfort in working with older adults may be potential future strategies to improve recruitment of geriatric psychiatrists.