Perceptions of medical students in encounter of adolescent patients inside pedopsychiatry unit: A qualitative study

Objective. - A part of medical students complete their psychiatric traineeship in adolescent psychiatry. They have to face with patients close in age. Furthermore, a few medical students are themselves still in an adolescent stage: cerebral changes of pubertal development occur until 24 years old; while medical studies length prevent from earlier empowerment. This study seeks to understand medical students' personal experience during their adolescent psychiatric clerkship to enhance mentoring. Patients and methods. - A multicentric qualitative study was conducted using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis methodology. Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews among eight medical students from 18 to 25 years old after completing their clinical clerkship. In-depth analysis were performed using Nvivo software program. Results. - Data analysis found three major themes; 1) loss of usual clinical work references and confusion regarding their previous experiences (absence of white coat, fewer traditional medical hierarchy, adjustment of appropriate relationship with patient, difference between normal and pathology); 2) discovery of psychiatric care supports both moving beyond first stigmatization attitude toward patient with psychiatric disorders and increasing empathy toward patients' stories; 3) strength of psychoaffective involvement and identification, including confusion between patients and their own family stories. Conclusion. - Adolescent psychiatry clinical clerkship means a particular involvement for undergraduate medical students. It suggests a need to enhance mentoring. (C) 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.