Critical factors in the professional development of the psychiatrist-administrator

A questionnaire was sent to 244 psychiatrist-administrators from the metropolitan New York City area to assess the actual and perceived effects of five factors--personality traits, clinical psychiatric training, formal training in administration, administrative experience, and a mentor relationship--on their professional development. The results, based on 200 completed questionnaires, revealed a discrepancy between the respondents' actual and ideal experiences in the areas of the mentor relationship and formal administrative training. The authors recommend structural changes in training programs to attract psychiatrists to administrative careers and to enhance their training and professional development.