Addressing the effects of culture on the boundary-keeping practices of psychiatry residents educated outside of the United States.
OBJECTIVE
The author sought to develop a curriculum for international medical graduate (IMG) psychiatry residents that addresses their culture-based deviations from normative boundary-keeping practices common to U.S.-based psychotherapy practices.


METHODS
A group consisting of 12 IMG psychiatry residents and one United States graduate (USG) participated in a curriculum consisting of eight monthly, 1-hour seminars. An eight-item, Likert-type 7-point scale, post-then-pre questionnaire assessed the instructional impact of the curriculum.


RESULTS
Responses indicated that participation in the curriculum significantly increased the IMG residents' levels of confidence with respect to boundary theory and practice.


CONCLUSIONS
International medical graduates confidence levels regarding psychotherapeutic boundaries can be significantly increased through participation in a curriculum that addresses cultural differences.
Myers
Gary E
GE
Department of Medical Humanities, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9603, USA.
D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003479:Curriculum; D005550:Foreign Medical Graduates; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D012919:Social Behavior