The Processes of Psychiatric Residency Training: Part II. Trainees who Drop Out

Fifteen percent of physicians who began psychiatric residencies at the University of Toronto over a six-year period dropped out. Data were analysed in an effort to determine what factors were related to these resignations. Background data could not differentiate drop-outs from the rest of their cohorts. Drop-outs were rated equal to the non drop-outs by supervisors after one year of training; but after two years of training the remaining were rated to have poorer capabilities for psychiatry. Drop-outs were also more likely to spend their first year in training in a mental hospital. These findings are discussed and recommendations are made for reducing the number of competent residents resigning from training.