Canadian psychiatry residency training programs: A glance at the management structure

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the administrative functioning of all current Canadian psychiatry residency training programs (RTPs) and to suggest available improvements to existing systems. Method: We obtained data about the 2004 RTPs by distributing 2 questionnaires to all Canadian psychiatry RTPs. Results: Residency program committees (RPCs) are mainly consultative and carry only a small amount of the workload of managing a residency program. Program directors (PDs) manage more than 80% of the work and report that the time allowance to perform their duties is suboptimal. PDs remain in office for about 5 years, departing during or at the end of a predetermined second term. Conclusion: RPCs bear only a small amount of the workload generated by the RTP. We piloted administrative changes that led to more equitable work distribution.