The current status of family medicine-psychiatry combined residency programs

The authors assessed the growth of the 12 approved family medicine-psychiat ry programs since initiation of this option in 1995. In 1998, they conducte d a two-stage survey of family medicine-pysychiatry training directors and selected residents. Ten programs had enrolled a range of 1-7 residents in e ach of the 5-year programs, for a total of 41 residents. Of a possible 22 f irst-year positions, 17 first-year residents began training in July 1998 (7 7% fill rate), 12 of whom enrolled through the National Resident Matching P rogram, 4 through the military match, and 1 outside the match. The first pa rticipants graduated in 2000. Two approved programs have closed, and one ne w program has been approved. The number of applicants has increased each ye ar. Training directors and residents are generally satisfied with their pro grams, but low medical student awareness of this option persists.