FACTORS AFFECTING MEDICAL-STUDENTS SELECTION OF CANADIAN PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENCY PROGRAMS .2. SOME CONTEMPORARY-ISSUES

Objective: The presence of a national cohort of trainees entering psyc hiatric residency allowed an assessment of contemporary factors influe ncing their particular program choices. Factors of specific interest i ncluded the effect on program choice of relationships with significant others and government attitudes to fiscal restraint, mental health ca re reform, and licensure. Method: A self-administered questionnaire wa s sent to 110 trainees identified in the 16 Canadian university depart ments of psychiatry who began training in July 1994. Results: While a committed relationship was a primary determinant of program choice, go vernment policies attempting to influence patterns of care had little effect. Conclusion: A strong commitment to undergraduate teaching will improve the attractiveness of psychiatry as a career. This must inclu de exposure of students to teachers who mentor practice patterns attun ed to provincial mental health reforms, since government initiatives a lone, developed to promote desired transitions in psychiatric care, wi ll not influence training program choice.