Teaching ethics and forensic psychiatry: a national survey of child and adolescent psychiatry training programs.

Abstract

Though instruction in ethics and forensic psychiatry is required of child and adolescent psychiatry training programs, the nature of the education commonly provided is not known. The 1992 American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Caucus survey sought to obtain this information by sending pertinent questionnaires to the 120 national member programs. Ninety-four programs responded, and the vast majority reported formal training in both subject areas. The specific topics covered, professions of the instructors, time devoted to instruction, and nature of clinical experiences offered are described. Furthermore, comparisons between time devoted to instruction and various demographic variables are presented. The results suggest that, while current teaching of ethics and forensic psychiatry in the responding training programs generally seems robust, it would be desirable to develop relevant core curricula and evaluation mechanisms, and to use the expertise of pertinent nonmental health professionals in instruction.