Training needs in adolescent medicine of practising doctors: a Swiss national survey of six disciplines.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and compare the training needs in adolescent medicine of doctors within 6 specialties as a basis for the development of pre/postgraduate and continuing medical education (CME) training curricula.


METHODS
Cross-sectional postal survey.


METHODS
Switzerland.


METHODS
National, representative, random sample of 1857 practising doctors in 6 disciplines (general practitioners, paediatricians, gynaecologists, internists, psychiatrists, child psychiatrists) registered with the Swiss Medical Association.


METHODS
Perceived importance of and training interest in 35 topics related to adolescent medicine listed in a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire.


RESULTS
A total of 1367 questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 73.9%. Clear interest in adolescent medicine was reported by 62.1% of respondents. Topics perceived to be the most important in everyday practice were functional symptoms (71.4%), acne (67.1%), obesity (64.6%), depression-anxiety (68.1%) and communication with adolescents (61.7%). Differences between disciplines were especially marked for gynaecologists, who expressed interest almost exclusively in medical topics specific to their field. In contrast, other disciplines commonly reported a keen interest in psychosocial problems. Accordingly, interest in further training was expressed mostly for functional symptoms (62.4%), eating disorders (56.3%), depression-anxiety (53.7%) and obesity (52.6%). Issues related to injury prevention, chronic disease and confidentiality were rated as low priorities.


CONCLUSIONS
Regardless of discipline, Swiss primary care doctors expressed a strong interest in adolescent medicine. Continuing medical education courses should include both interdisciplinary courses and discipline-specific sessions. Further training should address epidemiological and legal/ethical issues (e.g. injury prevention, confidentiality, impact of chronic conditions).
Kraus
Barbara
B
Multidisciplinary Unit for Adolescent Health (UMSA), and Institute for Social & Preventive Medicine, University Hospital (CHUV), CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Stronski
Susanne
S
Michaud
Pierre-André
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D000295:Adolescent Medicine / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011364:Professional Practice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland