Genetics Training in Canadian Psychiatry Residency Programs: a Survey of Residents and Program Directors

Genetic testing in psychiatry is currently indicated under certain circumstances and making a correct diagnosis in this context may have important clinical implications. Although the use of genetic testing will likely become increasingly relevant to psychiatric practice in the coming years, only a few studies to date have explored the degree to which this topic is covered in psychiatry residency programs, and none have exclusively focused on Canadian programs. As such, the purpose of this study was to better understand the degree to which Canadian psychiatry residents receive training in genetics, and to explore their understanding of, and opinions about this important clinical topic.

This cross-sectional study anonymously surveyed (using Qualtrics) both residents and program directors at psychiatry residency programs across Canada between October and November of 2024.

Eighty residents and seven program directors participated. All seven program directors estimated that their respective programs included 1-3 h of teaching on the topic of genetics. While the vast majority of residents had never ordered genetic testing of any kind and did not feel competent doing so, most residents and program directors alike appear to believe that the field of genetics is relevant to the practice of psychiatry and that residents should receive training in this area.

As the field of psychiatric genetics appears to represent a somewhat neglected educational topic among Canadian residency programs, it is recommended that a greater national effort be made to develop and implement curricular activities designed to address this gap in training.