Digitally Driven Short- and Intermediate-term Courses of Primary Care Psychiatry for Doctors: A Theme-based Analysis and Performance Audit

Abstract

Background: The National Mental Health Survey of India 2015–2016 identified a substantial treatment gap in mental healthcare, emphasizing the urgent need for improved training of primary care doctors (PCDs) in managing psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three digitally delivered primary care psychiatry courses offered by the department of psychiatry in a tertiary neuropsychiatric center: the Certificate Course in Primary Mental Healthcare (CCPMH), the Diploma in Community Mental Health (DCMH), and the Diploma in Primary Care Psychiatry (DPCP). Methods: Based on the board of studies documents, including curriculum, delivery methods, accreditation criteria, and outcomes, a comparative and thematic analysis of the courses was conducted. Results: The digital courses differed in duration, depth, and delivery methods. The DPCP, the most intensive and personalized program, was highly effective in translating knowledge into clinical practice. The CCPMH provided a foundational, short-term course for PCDs, while the DCMH covered a broader range of topics relevant to primary care psychiatry, supplemented with self-learning modules. All courses significantly contributed to reducing the mental health treatment gap by training a substantial number of PCDs. Conclusions: Digitally delivered courses are essential in addressing the mental health treatment gap in India. The DPCP, with its emphasis on practical training and personalized learning, demonstrates high effectiveness in equipping PCDs with the necessary skills to manage psychiatric disorders. However, further research is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and to address the scalability and accessibility challenges of these.