Educating physicians for contemporary responsibilities in the field of developmental disabilities

In 1977, an academic division concerned with developmental disabilities was established in the Department of Psychiatry at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. This paper describes the division's educational programs for undergraduate and post-graduate students. Reference is made to the resources (i.e. faculty, practicum settings) and the curricula required. Both are considered in relation to published information on such endeavours. The contemporary public policy for shifting the care of persons with developmental disabilities from institutions to the community is noted. Successful implementation of this policy depends in part on preparing physicians to meet the challenges of providing medical and psychiatric care in mainstream health care services.