Psychiatria Fennica (Nov 2021)
ASSOCIATION OF A TWO-MONTH SUMMER SCHOOL WITH A RESIDENCY IN PSYCHIATRY − RESULTS FROM A FOUR-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY
Abstract
In 2013, a two-month summer school programme combining clinical work, tutoring and multifaceted teaching was developed. The present study aimed at evaluating the long-term impact of the programme in terms of the participants’ subsequent specialization and work experience in psychiatry. The association of psychiatric knowledge development during the programme with these aspects was also assessed. Of the original 86 participants, 51 (66.2%) individuals who had completed the programme in the years 2013−2016 participated in the 4-year follow-up assessments in 2017−2020. A residency in psychiatry served as the main response variable in the online questionnaire study. The residents also evaluated the impact of the programme on their career choice. Information regarding possible work experience in psychiatry after the programme was collected as well. The association of the participants’ psychiatric knowledge development during the programme was analysed in relation to the response variables. At follow-up, 25.5% (n=13) of the respondents had a residency in psychiatry and 54.9% (n=28) had worked in psychiatry after the programme. Of the residents, 69.2% (n=9) reported that the programme had significantly impacted on their career choice. Additionally, 60.5% (n=23) of the non-residents reported they seriously considered psychiatry as a career choice. The development of the participants’ psychiatric knowledge during the programme was not associated with residency or later work experience in psychiatry. In addition to providing short-term alleviation to the shortage of psychiatrists, the programme’s long-term results are encouraging both in terms of specialization and work experience in psychiatry after the programme.
