National Survey of Undergraduate and Graduate Medical Education Exposure to Correctional Psychiatry

Correctional facilities in the United States house many individuals with mental illness requiring psychiatric care. This study investigates didactic and clinical experiences and attitudes related to correctional psychiatry among psychiatry residency program directors and medical student clerkship directors. An online survey was distributed to assess the current landscape of learner exposure to correctional psychiatry, topics related to criminal legal involvement among people with mental illness, and attitudes toward correctional psychiatry. A total of 96 individuals responded to the survey (overall response rate of 16%). About half of clerkship director (45.2%) and program director (51.1%) respondents report affiliations with correctional institutions. Few residency programs have a mandatory rotation (24.4%) whereas a higher proportion offer elective rotations (57.8%). Although medical student clerkship directors identify teaching correctional health as important, medical students have limited exposure and education on core topics of correctional psychiatry, perhaps related to reported heightened safety concerns. Correctional settings offer an opportunity to expose future psychiatrists to the care of people with criminal legal involvement as well as individuals with serious mental illness needing care. We found variable experiences in the exposure, education, and availability of rotations related to correctional psychiatry. Educators should advocate for learners to have further opportunities in these needed areas.