Am J Psychiatry 1985; 142:1053-1057
Copyright © 1985 by American Psychiatric Association
Should physician training centers offer formal psychiatric assistance to house officers? A report on the major findings of a prototype program
DB Borenstein
The literature suggests that the emotional needs of interns, residents, and
fellows have received inadequate attention. Comprehensive psychiatric
services are provided by a model program at UCLA. During the 1981-1983
academic years, 89 house officers were seen. Between 16% and 19% of certain
groups sought help each year; depression was the most frequent diagnosis
(63%, N = 56), followed by anxiety disorders (24%, N = 21). Over two-thirds
of the evaluated residents entered free or low-fee treatment, and these
therapies were generally considered quite beneficial. This report
reemphasizes the desirability of providing carefully structured,
confidential psychiatric assistance to house staff and documents medical
trainees' acceptance and use of such programs.
