An educational needs analysis in child and adolescent psychiatry

Objective: This study aims to determine the content and methods of the instructional activities that will be constructed in the future, concerning the residents, specialists and academicians in the area of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP). Methods: Target group of the study is the residents, specialists and the academic staff in CAP units in Turkey. The data has been collected by means of two different questionnaires designed for specialists/residents and the academicians. The questionnaire was designed by the authors. The questions have been prepared to evaluate the topics that must be in postgraduate courses, the methods/environments of education, the competency of specialists and residents on the topics in the questionnaire and the needs of the academicians to enhance their present instructional features. The questionnaire has been submitted and the data has been collected both by means of e-mails between March-May 2013. The data has been evaluated by descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results: Within the questionnaire period 29% of 160 child and adolescent psychiatry specialists, 50% of 230 residents and 58% of 110 academicians of the field in Turkey were accessed. The topics included to the questionnaire were found necessary in high proportions (71.9-95.3%) by the academicians. There was a statistical significance between academicians and specialists for finding all the topics necessary, as well as the academicians and residents concerning the 'ethical approach in child and adolescent psychiatry', 'forensic child and adolescent psychiatry' and 'basics of psychopharmacology'. Many additional new topics and methods have been suggested from all three groups. Discussion: The reason why the academicians recommended high proportion of topics than the residents and specialist can be the academicians' way of evaluation in a wide frame where the residents/specialists focus more on their practical necessities. Designing further studies to evaluate the underlying reasons in the differences of educational needs between academicians and the residents/specialist and the patient variability, professional conditions and practices of specialists that have lower demands may be useful. It has been concluded that the results of this study will contribute to update the content and methods of those activities that will be planned on continuing medical education/continuing professional development, as well as reach them to large attendees