Can Psychiatry Residents Be Attracted To Analytic Training? a Survey of Five Residency Programs

Abstract

In the face of fewer psychiatrist applicants for psychoanalytic training, determining the interest of current psychiatric residents in psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychiatry is a pressing concern. To gauge this interest, an anonymous online survey was sent to residents from five psychiatry residency programs in the Midwest and South. Seventy-five residents responded, for a return rate of 42%. The data suggest that residents value psychoanalytic concepts and most plan to incorporate the practice of psychodynamic psychotherapy into their careers after graduation; however, residents have little confidence in their level of skill and the adequacy of their training. While 46% express interest in further psychodynamic psychotherapy training, only 22% express interest in psychoanalytic training. Most cite the cost and time involved as reasons they would not pursue further training. This study demonstrates that psychiatric residents have strong interest in and respect for psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. The data suggest that psychiatric residents are a viable pool of applicants for psychoanalytic training, especially if barriers to training can be reduced and creative ways for psychoanalysts to engage residents can be fostered.

Psychiatry Residents and Dynamic Psychiatry: Two Narratives, A Survey, and Some Ideas to Enhance Recruitment

“…The themes illustrated in these two narratives resonate with the findings from a recent national survey of psychiatry residents regarding their interests, skills, and attitudes toward psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis (Katz & Kaplan, 2010). To our knowledge this is the first national survey specifically about psychiatric residents' perceptions of psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.…”

“…This experience often leads residents to reflect on the power of the therapeutic relationship and to think about themselves and their patients in new ways. Although residents endorse the importance of personal psychotherapy when surveyed (Katz & Kaplan, 2010), fewer numbers of residents than ever before are entering psychotherapy with only one-third of current residents in a recent survey seeking therapy during residency (Haak & Kaye, 2009). Program director attitudes about the usefulness of therapy, financial support to facilitate therapy, and training in a locale that supports therapy (e.g., Northeast or West Coast programs) all influence the likelihood that residents will pursue therapy (Habl, Mintz, & Bailey, 2010).…”

Transference-Focused Psychotherapy in the General Psychiatry Residency: A Useful and Applicable Model for Residents in Acute Clinical Settings

“…The traditional model of teaching psychodynamic therapy in residency requires a significant commitment of time and a cadre of individual supervisors experienced in psychodynamic psychotherapy, resources often not available even in large academic medical centers. To further complicate matters, despite the fact that most residents report wanting to incorporate psychodynamic practice into their careers, they describe learning psychodynamic therapy as "daunting" (Cohen & Hatcher, 2008), and only a minority feel competent as psychodynamic therapists and with psychodynamic concepts (Katz & Kaplan, 2010).…”

Visiting Psychodynamic Scholars Enhance Psychodynamic Learning for Psychiatric Residents

“…Several surveys have endorsed residents' interest in and wishes for more psychotherapy education in general (Calabrese et al, 2010;Hadjipavlou & Ogrodniczuk, 2007;Katz & Kaplan, 2010;Kovach, Dubin, & Combs, 2015;Khurshid et al, 2005;Margariti et al, 2001;Perez, Krul, & Kapoor, 1984), and learning and practicing psychotherapy have been found to be important factors in the decision of some residents to become psychiatrists (Davydow, Bienvenu, Lipsey, & Swartz, 2008;Hadjipavlou & Ogrodniczuk, 2007). However, resident interest in psychodynamic psychotherapy in particular has been less well studied.…”

“…In another survey, residents rated their skills in cognitive-behavioral therapy more highly than psychodynamic therapy, a finding the authors attributed to the greater availability of trained cognitive-behavioral supervisors (Calabrese et al, 2010). In another survey that specifically examined perceptions and skills in psychodynamic psychotherapy, 75 residents from five residency programs endorsed particular weaknesses in psychodynamic knowledge and skills relative to general psychotherapy skills (Katz & Kaplan, 2010). More than 50% of residents in this survey rated their psychodynamic knowledge and skills as extremely poor or poor.…”