Community Psychiatrists Who See Geriatric Patients: What's Training Got to Do with It?

Objective: This study examines the issues influencing psychiatrists' decisions to provide care to the under-served geriatric population. Methods: Community-based psychiatrists who see geriatric patients participated in focus group discussions exploring factors that influence the characteristics of their current practices. Results: Personal themes, environmental issues and quality of residency training emerged as important factors interacting in eventual practice choice. Major influences within training programs included teachers, diverse patient exposure and high-quality essential skills teaching. Conclusion: Residency program curricula might capitalize on these to better prepare residents and enhance the likelihood of graduates eventually choosing to incorporate geriatric patients into their practices.