Psychiatry residents' experiences with systems-based practice: a qualitative survey.

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze qualitative data collected during field-testing of an instrument to assess psychiatric residents' experiences with systems-based practice (SBP).

Methods: A total of 237 psychiatry residents from 6 levels of training in 12 different psychiatry residency training programs responded to a 60-item instrument measuring their experiences with SBP during residency. Qualitative techniques adapted from content analysis were used to review narrative responses to open-ended questions on the instrument.

Results: Certain themes emerged in the residents' answers reflecting their opinions about the opportunities for (and barriers to) performing SBP in their work.

Conclusions: Psychiatric residents express an eagerness for opportunities to learn about and perform SBP but often feel constrained by the lack of resources, teaching, and supervision. Moreover, many residents desire a better understanding of healthcare economics and how to factor cost consideration into clinical care.