ERIC Number: EJ806669
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Jun
Pages: 3
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1042-9670
EISSN: N/A
Medical Students' Interest in Child Psychiatry: A Clerkship Intervention
Martin, Vicki L.; Bennett, David S.; Pitale, Maria
Academic Psychiatry, v31 n3 p225-227 Jun 2007
Objective: The authors examine the efficacy of a brief presentation to enhance clerkship student interest in child and adolescent psychiatry as a career choice. Method: Attitudes of students attending a brief presentation on the positive aspects of child psychiatry were compared with those of non-attenders. Results: Students who attended the presentation were more accurate in reporting salaries and acknowledging a shortage in the field. Their interest in child and adolescent psychiatry as a career choice, however, did not change. Student interest was related to having had prior contact with a psychiatrist, whereas decreased interest was related to having an adult-only experience during the clerkship. Conclusions: A brief presentation can be effective in changing certain factual perceptions about child and adolescent psychiatry but may be ineffective in enhancing medical students' interest in it. However, exposure to child patients during the clerkship may prevent a decline in student interest in the field.
Descriptors: Medical Students, Career Choice, Student Interests, Psychiatry, Patients, Children, Intervention, Adolescents, Clinical Experience
American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. 1000 Wilson Boulevard Suite 1825, Arlington, VA 22209-3901. Tel: 800-368-5777; Tel: 703-907-7856; Fax: 703-907-1092; e-mail: appi@psych.org; Web site: http://ap.psychiatryonline.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A