Outcome Measures of Triple Board Graduates, 1991-2003

Abstract

To describe program outcomes for the Combined Training Program in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry (Triple Board Program). All Triple Board Program graduates to date (1991-2003) were asked to participate in a 37-item written survey from February to April 2004. The response rate was 80.7%. Most graduates go on to careers in child and adolescent psychiatry, spending a mean of 72.3% of their time in the field; however, 24.8% of respondents spend at least one fourth of their time in pediatrics and 8.0% spend one fourth of their time or more in general psychiatry. Many graduates are involved in academics, teaching, and research. Board pass rates (including repeat attempts) were highest for general (95.8%) and child and adolescent psychiatry (91.4%) and lowest for pediatrics (77.2%), and a minority (36.3%) of graduates are fully "triple boarded" (i.e., have completed oral and written boards in all three fields). Of graduates, 93.8% stated they would re-enroll in the Triple Board Program, and satisfaction with the curriculum was high. The Triple Board Program is successful in terms of career outcomes, involvement in academics, boards pass rates, and graduate reported satisfaction. These data may help determine the future of this combined program in addressing workforce issues in child and adolescent psychiatry.