Focus group discussion with the medical interns regarding psychiatry posting.

BACKGROUND

Medical interns have 2 weeks compulsory internship in psychiatry.

AIM

We tried to explore their learning and views about psychiatry during these 2 weeks. To document verbatim their account about the knowledge gained and their experiences during the psychiatry internship posting and derive prominent themes.

METHODS

Focus group discussion was conducted at the end of the posting using a semistructured questionnaire for seven consecutive batches of interns posted in psychiatry. To enhance trustworthiness, we utilized member checking, data triangulation, and peer debriefing. Their routine during posting, competencies, expectations from the posting, and frustrations were the main points discussed. The interns willingly participated and discussed their views about psychiatry posting.

RESULTS

They were aware of psychiatry as an important medical discipline and had a fair degree of knowledge about it. Most of them found the posting useful. The interns had not attained the required competencies in handling emergencies and use of psychiatric drugs.

CONCLUSION

Involvement of senior faculty and formative assessments will be necessary in the training of medical interns. This can ensure that they gain the required competencies.