Undergraduate Psychiatric Training: Insights from Emergency Room.

ABSTRACT

Context Undergraduate medical training involves a number of subjects for the trainee to go through and develop the skills necessary to mange the cases. Subjects such as psychiatry are underrepresented during this training. Aims: This study aims to assess the quality of undergraduate psychiatric training through the management of psychiatry cases by MBBS graduated in the emergency department. Settings and Design: The study was carried out in the emergency department and OPD set up. The study used the consecutive sample inclusion. Methods and Materials The study included the consecutive initial 40 consultation from the emergency department. The analysis included the management done by the emergency department, the reasons for referral and the differences in diagnosis/ management of emergency department staff and resident doctor of psychiatry. Statistical Analysis used The data was analysed using SPSS ver 10. Results: The diagnosis in 15 cases was revised by the psychiatry resident doctor from that made by the emergency department staff. There were certain unusual reasons for referrals to a psychiatrist. There were differences in the line of management of some of the cases as per the emergency department staff and the psychiatry resident. Conclusion: There is a need to relook into the training curriculum of the undergraduate psychiatric training programme.