[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.

MATERIAL AND 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.

INTERPRETATION

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.