Teaching the prescriber's role: the psychology of psychopharmacology.

Objective: The author examines one aspect of the psychopharmacology curriculum: the psychology of psychopharmacology.

Method: Drawing from his experience teaching this subject to trainees at many different levels and from an emerging evidence base suggesting that psychosocial factors in the doctor-patient relationship may be crucial for medication effectiveness, the author explores the importance of this often overlooked aspect of pharmacotherapy. Several methods for teaching the integration of meaning and medication are examined.

Results: Generally, residents receiving thorough instruction in the psychology of psychopharmacology believe that they are not only better equipped to integrate psychotherapy and medications, but that this instruction enhances their skills as psychopharmacologists and psychotherapists.

Conclusion: Teaching the psychodynamics of psychopharmacology addresses not only residents' needs to become more effective prescribers, but, in part, it may also address predictable developmental crises in residency.