A Survey Among Psychiatrists to Assess the Need for Psychiatry Sub/Super-specialization Courses in India

Abstract

Background: India’s landscape of sub/super-specialization courses is expanding rapidly. Numerous courses spanning various domains of psychiatry exist, and this trend is poised to continue its upward trajectory. We aimed to assess the need for sub/super-specialization courses in psychiatry in India and explore the structural components of the courses. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 142 psychiatrists/psychiatry residents from India were surveyed using an online questionnaire after approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: “Good” and “intense” need for specialization courses was reported to be highest for child and adolescent psychiatry (68.3%), followed by addiction psychiatry (56.4%) and psychotherapy (55.6%). A 1-year post-doctoral fellowship was reported to be the most preferred course format. Practical examination was suggested to be the preferred summative assessment method for different course formats. Conclusion: The availability of sub/super-specialization courses presents an opportunity to enhance psychiatrists’ training in specific areas of interest. Offering a variety of course options enables psychiatrists to select the most suitable program based on their individual requirements and career goals.