Public psychiatrists' reports of their own recovery-oriented practices.

Objective: Alumni of Columbia University's Public Psychiatry Fellowship were surveyed to assess their use of recovery-oriented practices.

Methods: A de novo survey designed specifically for psychiatrists was developed on the basis of prior measures and theories of recovery. A total of 144 graduates completed the survey.

Results: Fellowship alumni reported using a variety of practices consistent with a recovery orientation, including asking about patients' social support systems and life goals. To varying degrees, alumni endorsed a belief in the viability of leverage practices. A regression analysis revealed that recovery-oriented practices were associated with awareness of recovery concepts and less authoritarian medication management.

Conclusions: Although some recovery-oriented practices were used infrequently (for example, facilitating peer advocacy), a number of important practices were endorsed at relatively high levels. The association of recovery-oriented practices with awareness of recovery concepts suggests that education and advocacy may promote such practices.