Educating psychiatry residents about death and dying: A national survey

Abstract

A national survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of teaching about death and dying issues in psychiatric training programs. Responses from 142 program directors indicated that 56% of responding programs offer specific lectures or didactics on this topic. Of residents surveyed ( N = 286), 25.8% reported such lectures. Residents' feelings and experiences regarding death and dying are also explored. Psychiatric residency training programs are challenged to enhance their educational efforts on this topic in view of the demand for this knowledge resulting from many factors, which include the AIDS epidemic, issues of assisted suicide, and expectations from medical colleagues.