Teaching behaviour therapy to psychiatrists with a structured learning format

A 5-day, in-service training in behaviour therapy, which was attended by six psychiatrists, is described. The course covered principles of behavioural assessment and therapy within a structured learning format. The results of this systematic approach are presented in terms of six measures, administered before and after training. Two of these assessed attitudes to treatment, one gauged knowledge of behavioural principles and the remaining three evaluated the psychiatrists' skills in some key areas of behaviour therapy. Statistically significant improvements were found on the knowledge questionnaire and on one skill measure. These results were compared to those obtained by a control group (n = 18) and a course-trained group (n = 65) of qualified psychiatric nurses. The main conclusion drawn was that the course succeeded as an efficient learning programme, developing understanding and skills of value both clinically and in terms of collaborative teamwork.