School dropouts: examining the space of reasons.

BACKGROUND: Dropping out of school is a worldwide phenomenon with drastic mental health consequences for children, families and society. AIM AND MATERIALS METHODS: This study examines school dropouts in one district in Kerala with an emphasis on looking at multiple reasons for the problem. RESULTS: The most common "reason" was various Physical disorders (80, 21.8%) followed by Mental Retardation (77, 20.9%). Child labour (Employment) came last (30, 8.1%) as a "reason" while financial issues constituted 50 (13.6%). Family issues accounted for 63 (17.1%) and School-related issues 68 (18.5%). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need to examine a space of reasons for this phenomenon with active involvement and coordination of multiple agencies to examine and support getting children back to school and prevent dropouts.

Revalidation: Are we Meeting Training Needs? Training and its Influence on the Practice of Child Psychiatry and Psychotherapy.

Revalidation and renewal of registration are issues of concern to most psychiatrists. Keeping up-to-date with current knowledge is an essential part of the renewal of license to practice. Training needs of psychiatrists are addressed in postgraduate courses and the gaps in training and updating of knowledge addressed through continuing medical education programs. This study aims to look at whether the training needs of psychiatrists working in the state of Kerala are being met. Two aspects of training and practice, child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy, were assessed using a questionnaire. A significant number of respondents had not received any training in either of these areas in their postgraduate training. This did not affect their practice; most respondents continued to practice psychotherapy and see child patients despite not being trained. These two areas can thus be identified as lacunae in the curriculum as well as a need which should be addressed through Continuation Medical education programs.