Should physician training centers offer formal psychiatric assistance to house officers? A report on the major findings of a prototype program.

The literature suggests that the emotional needs of interns, residents, and fellows have received inadequate attention. Comprehensive psychiatric services are provided by a model program at UCLA. During the 1981-1983 academic years, 89 house officers were seen. Between 16% and 19% of certain groups sought help each year; depression was the most frequent diagnosis (63%, N = 56), followed by anxiety disorders (24%, N = 21). Over two-thirds of the evaluated residents entered free or low-fee treatment, and these therapies were generally considered quite beneficial. This report reemphasizes the desirability of providing carefully structured, confidential psychiatric assistance to house staff and documents medical trainees' acceptance and use of such programs.