Group psychotherapy in psychiatric residency training

Residents (n=114) in the department of psychiatry at the University of Toronto were surveyed in the spring of 1987 about their training in and attitudes about group psychotherapy. Significant interest in group psychotherapy was correlated positively with a perception that one's group psychotherapy training was good, more hours of experience leading groups, a belief in the usefulness of group therapy in one's future practice, and an appreciation of opportunities to refer patients to group therapy. Confidence in one's ability as a group leader and knowledge about group therapy were correlated with the number of hours spent leading groups. The implications for planners of group psychotherapy training curricula and faculty are discussed and recommendations are made concerning the principles of group psychotherapy training programs.