Translational Quotient as an Innovative Outcome Parameter to Assess the Effectiveness of Training Methods: A Feasibility Study in Assessing the Baseline Psychiatric Skills of Primary Care Doctors in their Real-world Live Outpatient Clinic

Abstract

Background: The effectiveness of training methods in medical education is critical, particularly for primary care physicians (PCPs) who frequently encounter psychiatric issues in their practice. Traditional assessment methods often fail to evaluate skill acquisition in real-world clinical practice. The Translational Quotient (TQ) is proposed as an innovative outcome measure to assess PCPs’ ability to apply psychiatric skills in their live outpatient consultation among their general patients. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using the TQ in real-world outpatient clinics and to understand the baseline psychiatric skills among PCPs using TQ. Methods: Actively practicing MBBS-qualified PCPs enrolled in the Diploma in Primary Care Psychiatry (DPCP) program across various districts were invited to participate. Baseline TQ assessments were conducted in the PCPs’ live clinics, with psychiatrists observing live consultations either remotely or in-person for the first five consecutive general consultations. Each consultation was scored using a standardized TQ proforma, which evaluated six criteria: elicitation of psychiatric symptoms, clinical reasoning, medication choices, counseling, time management, and overall clinical skills. Results: A total of 25 PCPs participated, with an average baseline TQ score of 15.7% (4.72 out of 30). Most participants (72%) scored 5 or less, highlighting significant gaps in psychiatric skills. Analysis revealed no significant associations between TQ scores and PCP demographics such as age, gender, and prior psychiatric training, but regional differences were noted, with lower scores in Karnataka compared to Bihar. Conclusions: The TQ is a feasible and practical tool for assessing real-world psychiatric skills among PCPs. The baseline scores indicate a pressing need for targeted psychiatric training to bridge the treatment gap in primary care. Future training programs should focus on enhancing diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and patient communication to improve mental healthcare outcomes in primary care settings.