[Evaluation of a training program "Psychiatry for EmergencyPhysicians"]

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Medical Education

Background:

• Psychiatric education has been historically overlooked in emergency medicine.
• While quality assurance measures exist, the effectiveness of current psychiatric training programs for German emergency physicians remains unevaluated.
• This study presents the first evaluation of a psychiatric emergency training program within the German Emergency Physicians' Basic Training Program (EPTP-B).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a psychiatric emergency training program for emergency physicians in Germany.
• To assess participants' knowledge, attitudes, and perceived need for further training in psychiatric emergencies.
• To determine the adequacy and perceived value of the existing training module.

Main Methods:

• The study involved participants of the EPTP-B in Hamburg.
• A semi-structured questionnaire was administered before and after the training to assess knowledge, attitudes, and training needs.
• Data collected included self-estimated knowledge, perceived necessity for training, and feedback on the program's educational value, informativeness, and practicality.

Main Results:

• Initially, 42 medical doctors (22 male, 20 female, mean age 32.2) reported poor prior knowledge and a high need for psychiatric training.
• Post-training, the majority found the program educative (69%) and practical (81%).
• However, 81% deemed the training duration insufficient, and participants still felt a gap towards the educational objectives.

Conclusions:

• There is a clear need, demand, and interest for enhanced psychiatric education among emergency physicians.
• Emergency physicians frequently encounter a high volume and diverse range of psychiatric emergencies.
• On-the-job reinforcement of theoretical knowledge is crucial for effective psychiatric emergency care.