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Psychiatry trainees’ views and educational needs regarding the care of patients with a life-limiting illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 June 2016

Benjamin C. Forster Open the ORCID record for Benjamin C. Forster [Opens in a new window] ,
Helen Proskurin ,
Brian Kelly ,
Melanie R. Lovell ,
Ralf Ilchef  and
Josephine M. Clayton
Benjamin C. Forster
Affiliation:
HammondCare Palliative & Supportive Care Service, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Helen Proskurin
Affiliation:
HammondCare Palliative & Supportive Care Service, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Brian Kelly
Affiliation:
School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Melanie R. Lovell
Affiliation:
HammondCare Palliative & Supportive Care Service, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Ralf Ilchef
Affiliation:
Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Josephine M. Clayton*
Affiliation:
HammondCare Palliative & Supportive Care Service, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Josephine Clayton, HammondCare Palliative & Supportive Care Service, Greenwich Hospital, Pallister House, P.O. Box 5084, Greenwich, New South Wales 2065, Australia. E-mail: [email protected].
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Abstract

Objective:

People with a life-limiting physical illness experience high rates of significant psychological and psychiatric morbidity. Nevertheless, psychiatrists often report feeling ill-equipped to respond to the psychiatric needs of this population. Our aim was to explore psychiatry trainees’ views and educational needs regarding the care of patients with a life-limiting physical illness.

Method:

Using semistructured interviews, participants’ opinions were sought on the role of psychiatrists in the care of patients with a life-limiting illness and their caregivers, the challenges faced within the role, and the educational needs involved in providing care for these patients. Interviews were audiotaped, fully transcribed, and then subjected to thematic analysis.

Results:

A total of 17 psychiatry trainees were recruited through two large psychiatry training networks in New South Wales, Australia. There were contrasting views on the role of psychiatry in life-limiting illness. Some reported that a humanistic, supportive approach including elements of psychotherapy was helpful, even in the absence of a recognizable mental disorder. Those who reported a more biological and clinical stance (with a reliance on pharmacotherapy) tended to have a nihilistic view of psychiatric intervention in this setting. Trainees generally felt ill-prepared to talk to dying patients and felt there was an educational “famine” in this area of psychiatry. They expressed a desire for more training and thought that increased mentorship and case-based learning, including input from palliative care clinicians, would be most helpful.

Significance of Results:

Participants generally feel unprepared to care for patients with a life-limiting physical illness and have contrasting views on the role of psychiatry in this setting. Targeted education is required for psychiatry trainees in order to equip them to care for these patients.

Keywords

PsychiatryPalliative careEducationInterventions
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , April 2017 , pp. 231 - 241
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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