Title
What is the experience of psychiatry residents learning to prescribe? A qualitative research inquiry
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry
Publication Date
2-2016
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Medical Education | Mental and Social Health | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Understanding how psychiatry residents learn to prescribe is important for the future of psychiatry. Prescribing is a complicated act that involves much more than signing a prescription. During residency, psychiatrists develop seminal attitudes and habits about prescribing. There have been no published studies focusing on psychiatry residents' experience when learning to prescribe.
AIMS: Qualitative methodology lends itself to a deep exploration of the process of learning how to prescribe. We undertook a qualitative study questioning psychiatry residents about their prescribing.
METHODS: Psychiatry residents were recruited from three residency programs and focus groups were conducted at each program. The focus groups were audiotaped and transcribed by a professional service. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and triangulation to increase the rigor of the study.
RESULTS: A total of 12 residents participated. Three themes were identified concerning identity development as a psychiatrist, uncertainty and fear about prescribing, and the centrality of collaborating with the patient during the prescribing process.
CONCLUSION: Psychiatry residents struggle with significant anxiety and frustration in their experience of learning to prescribe, suggesting a place for mentors and supervisors to focus.
Keywords
Graduate medical education, psychopharmacology, qualitative research
DOI of Published Version
10.3109/09638237.2015.1078885
Source
J Ment Health. 2016;25(2):122-5. Oct 15. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Journal of mental health (Abingdon, England)
Related Resources
PubMed ID
26472154
Repository Citation
Randall, Melinda; Lowe, Marissa; and Aillon-Sohl, Lara, "What is the experience of psychiatry residents learning to prescribe? A qualitative research inquiry" (2016). Psychiatry Publications and Presentations. 807.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/psych_pp/807
