Abstract
There is considerable uncertainty about the extent of training in the different psychotherapies that psychiatric trainees received in their training. There is considerable anecdotal evidence from both teachers and trainees that the level of psychotherapy teaching has declined in standard and quantity in recent years. However there has been no objective evaluation until now.
Method: 280 Questionnaires were sent out to senior trainees (i.e. those who have completed 3 years of training) in Australia and New Zealand with questions on their satisfaction in the quality and quantity of different aspects of training in Dynamic Therapy, Cognitive Therapy (CBT), Family Therapy, Group Therapy and Supportive Therapy. Problem areas in training were delineated and suggestions for improvement detailed.
Results: 96 Questionnaires were returned. In terms of satisfaction in quality of training, 41% were satisfied or very satisfied with teaching in Dynamic Therapy as compared to 31% in CBT, 19% in Family, 9% in Group and 37% in Supportive Therapies. Satisfaction in quantity of training revealed 20% thought there was a reasonable or abundant amount of time in Dynamic Therapy as compared with 10% in CBT, 9% in Family, 4% in Group and 20% in Supportive Therapies. Major problems were identified in supervision and techniques of training. Supervision and case discussions were cited as the most useful components of training
Discussion: The results seem to confirm that psychiatric trainees were dissatisfied with both the quality and quantity of training in the four major modalities of psychotherapy training. Group and Family Therapy training are particular areas where deficiencies are most marked, reflecting a bias toward individual rather than interpersonal therapies. Implications for the future of psychiatry in Australasia of these difficulties in teaching are discussed.