Combined Internal Medicine/Psychiatry and Family Practice/Psychiatry Training Programs 1999–2000Residents’ Perspectives

Residents enrolled in internal medicine/psychiatry (IM/PSY) and family practice/psychiatry (FP/PSY) programs were surveyed to assess their views concerning training experiences and future plans. The FREIDA online directory was used to supplement missing information. Responses were received from 60% of residents (N=111), representing all active IM/PSY (n = 20) and FP/PSY (n = 9) programs. Variability existed in call, clinical, and didactic experiences. Residents generally were very pleased with training. Following graduation, most plan to practice a combination of skills, primarily in community or academic settings. Levels of recruitment were felt to be equal to or higher than those for colleagues in individual training specialties. Training in IM/PSY and FP/PSY programs is variable. Residents report high levels of satisfaction and plan to practice both specialties.