[Knowledge about mental retardation among psychiatric residents].
BACKGROUND
Since the deinstitutionalisation reform in 1991, the general health services, including psychiatry, are expected to serve the needs of people with mental retardation. Studies have shown that users generally find the service provided by psychiatry unsatisfactory. One reason for this may be a lack of confidence on the part of psychiatrists to take on such work. We focus on whether future psychiatrists feel that they learn enough about this topic.


METHODS
We asked 60 residents in psychiatry in various stages of their graduate medical education to evaluate their own knowledge or skills in 109 fields expected to be mastered by a specialist in psychiatry. Items with high relevance to mental retardation were compared with other items of similar relevance to psychiatric practice.


RESULTS
The residents felt they lacked skills/knowledge in psychiatric and medicolegal fields mainly concerning people with mental retardation. In fields that were highly relevant for both general psychiatric practice and mental retardation the residents reported higher confidence.


CONCLUSIONS
The efforts during the reform process to secure psychiatric services for people with mental retardation are not reflected in the training of new psychiatrists or in their confidence in their ability to undertake such work.
Linaker
Olav M
OM
Institutt for nevromedisin, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet og St. Olavs Hospital, Psykisk helsevern, avdeling Haukåsen, Postboks 3223, 7424 Trondheim. olav.linaker@medisin.ntnu.no
Fløvig
John Christian
JC
D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D007396:Internship and Residency; D019359:Knowledge; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*