The current status of family medicine-psychiatry combined residency programs

The authors assessed the growth of the 12 approved family medicine-psychiatry programs since initiation of this option in 1995. In 1998, they conducted a two-stage survey of family medicine-pysychiatry training directors and selected residents. Ten programs had enrolled a range of 1-7 residents in each of the 5-year programs, for a total of 41 residents. Of a possible 22 first-year positions, 17 first-year residents began training in July 1998 (77% fill rate), 12 of whom enrolled through the National Resident Matching Program, 4 through the military match, and 1 outside the match. The first participants graduated in 2000. Two approved programs have closed, and one new program has been approved. The number of applicants has increased each year. Training directors and residents are generally satisfied with their programs, but low medical student awareness of this option persists.