Training in psychiatric genomics during residency: a new challenge.
OBJECTIVE
The authors ascertained the amount of training in psychiatric genomics that is provided in North American psychiatric residency programs.


METHODS
A sample of 217 chief residents in psychiatric residency programs in the United States and Canada were identified by e-mail and surveyed to assess their training in psychiatric genetics and genomics.


RESULTS
Eighty chief residents completed the survey for a response rate of 37%. Forty-five respondents (56%) reported that during their residency training they received 3 or fewer hours of training in genomics. Of these, 13 reported that they had received no training in genomics. Chief residents who received 3 or fewer hours of training were more likely to indicate that they had not actively participated in a multidisciplinary team which utilized genetic/genomic specialists than residents who had received more didactic training in genomics (p<0.001). Although 67% of 77 respondents indicated that they understood the concept of genetic predisposition to psychiatric disease, only 14% of 80 respondents indicated that they understood the role a genetic counselor could play on a clinical team.


CONCLUSIONS
Training in the clinical applications of genomic testing has not been thoroughly implemented in some residency programs.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Joel G
JG
Winner
Deborah
D
Goebert
Courtenay
C
Matsu
David A
DA
Mrazek
D002170:Canada; D003479:Curriculum / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D023281:Genomics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States