Preparing International Medical Graduates for Psychiatry Residency: A Multi-Site Needs Assessment

Abstract

Objective

Despite the growing number of international medical graduates (IMGs) training in medicine in Canada and the United States, IMG-specific challenges early in psychiatry residency have not been fully explored. Therefore, the authors conducted a needs-assessment survey to determine the needs of IMGs transitioning into psychiatry residency.

Method

Using a 15-item online questionnaire, authors conducted a needs-assessment of IMG residents in five Canadian psychiatry residency programs. The survey examined IMGs’ perceived difficulties with the transition into psychiatry residency, educational needs, and demographic data. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney tests.

Results

IMGs identified the following difficulties with their transition into residency: understanding the healthcare system, medical documentation, and evidence-based medicine/mental health. Language barriers and social isolation were significant factors affecting the transition into residency for residents who did not speak English as their first language. Residents who lived in Canada 12 months or less had greater perceived difficulties in psychotherapy knowledge and adapting to the Canadian healthcare system; 88% of IMGs reported having little- or- no IMG-specific preparation for psychiatry residency from their psychiatry program; however, 69% reported that they would use IMG resources if offered; 63% felt that faculty in their program should undergo training to assist with IMG transition.

Conclusion

Several perceived challenges, needs, and gaps in training were reported by IMGs in Canadian psychiatry residency programs. The results of this survey will be used to inform future curriculum development to facilitate IMG transition into psychiatry postgraduate training programs. We thank the survey working group, and, especially, Drs. N. Roberts, M. Hasnain, H. Haensel, T. Callanan and K. Skakum, J. Parent, and the postgraduate office administrative staff for each program for their assistance with survey dissemination. We also thank the Canadian Psychiatric Association Membership Affairs Committee and Members-in-Training Committee for their input in this project. We appreciate the time and effort of the participating international medical graduates from the five psychiatry residency programs.