Dual Residency Training in Neurology and Psychiatry: History and Current Practice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Medical Education

Background:

• Early 20th-century medical training integrated neurology and psychiatry.
• The term "neuropsychiatry" emerged post-WWI to address functional neurological disorders.
• Psychoanalysis's rise led to decreased neurological content in psychiatry training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current practice and training of physicians with combined neurology and psychiatry residency.
• To understand physician attitudes toward dual training in neurology and psychiatry.
• To examine reasons for the limited growth of combined neurology-psychiatry residency programs.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 207 physicians who completed dual neurology and psychiatry residencies.
• Survey of 18 current trainees in combined neuropsychiatry residency programs.
• Response rate of 64% for the physician survey.

Main Results:

• Respondents reported overwhelmingly positive attitudes toward their dual neurology and psychiatry training.
• The study gathered data on current practice and academic activities of these physicians.
• Factors contributing to the slow growth of combined residency programs were investigated.

Conclusions:

• Physicians with combined neurology and psychiatry training highly value their education.
• Further examination is needed to understand and potentially foster the growth of neuropsychiatry residency programs.