Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Cardoso Zoppe, E. H. C. Articles by Neto, F. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Cardoso Zoppe, E. H. C. Articles by Neto, F. L.

Teaching Psychodynamics to Psychiatric Residents through Psychiatric Outpatient Interviews

Received May 11, 2007; revised July 5, September 21, and November 3, 2007; accepted November 14, 2007. The authors are affiliated with the Department and Institute of Psychiatry at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School in São Paulo, Brazil. Address correspondence to Eva Helena C. Cardoso Zoppe, Rua João Moura, 647 cj 154 Cep:05412-001, São Paulo, Brazil; ezoppe{at}hotmail.com (e-mail).

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates whether a course that was designed for first-year psychiatric residents and that specifically addressed psychodynamic principles fostered residents’ progress in knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding these concepts. METHODS: The course was given in the 2005 academic year to all residents (N=18) in their first psychiatric postgraduate year at the Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Brazil. The residents were assessed in the first and last sessions of the course through a written test that was blindly rated by two independent judges. Residents were also interviewed to observe whether psychodynamic concepts had been integrated into actual practice. Their responses were subjected to content analysis. Significance was tested using analysis of variance or nonparametric tests when necessary. Agreement between the judges was tested using intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The judges demonstrated a high level of agreement. The difference in mean scores before and after the course was such that the total score increased by a mean of 2.5 points (total test score was 10 points). Additionally, residents started to undergo personal psychotherapy after the course. They reported that this course had markedly improved their relationship with patients. They emphasized the opportunities for self-reflection and gaining insights into themselves and patient treatment issues. CONCLUSION: This initial study indicates that this educational method can effectively promote psychodynamic knowledge, skills, and appropriate attitudes for managing psychiatric outpatients among residents. The course was very well received by the residents, and a similar method can easily be instituted within other residency programs that pursue integrated teaching methods.

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2009 Academic Psychiatry. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us