Developmental disability training in Canadian psychiatry residency programs

Objective: To examine current training in developmental disabilities in Can adian psychiatry residency programs and to determine, from the programs' pe rspectives, how provinces across Canada are responding to the needs of pers ons with developmental disabilities and comorbid mental health disturbances (persons with a "dual diagnosis"). Method: A survey was completed by residency directors, or their designate, for all 16 psychiatry residency programs in Canada. Results: Persons with developmental disabilities require psychiatric servic es throughout their lives, but inadequate training opportunities exist in m any of the residency programs, particularly those involving adults and adol escents. While some didactic opportunities are usually available, supervise d clinical opportunities are rare, and many of those reported are optional. Conclusions: Across Canada, there have been insufficient advances in clinic al training and service developments to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and comorbid mental health disturbances.