Teaching psychotherapy to future non psychiatric physicians: a survey of the Canadian experiences

The majority of patients consulting for mental health problems are treated by non psychiatric physicians. Thus, the teaching of therapeutic skills of a psychological nature to future physicians takes on a considerable importance. A survey bearing on the objectives, methods, orientations and problems related to the teaching of psychotherapy for non psychiatric physicians has been conducted in the departments of psychiatry of Canadian medical schools. That survey indicates that the Canadian experience remains presently limited and confronted with many obstacles at the practical and psychological levels. The coordinators of undergraduate psychiatric education in Canada are almost unanimous to underline the necessity of providing physicians with some training in psychotherapy but also to deplore the actual state of development of that teaching.