[Initial training in psychotherapy for psychiatrists in France, a national qualitative study]. / La formation aux psychothérapies des internes en psychiatrie en France : résultats d'une analyse qualitative.

Objectives To explore the level of satisfaction among residents regarding their training in psychotherapies, the interest they have in these therapies, and their wishes in the area of training.Methods A survey including both a quantitative and qualitative methodology was undertaken among 869 residents out of 1,334 enrolled in the psychiatric residency program. In the 2009-2010 academic year. The survey included five themes of study: theoretical academic training, psychoanalysis, training in institutes outside the university, supervision, wishes in the area of training. This article presents results from the qualitative sociological survey using a semi-guided interview with 27 residents. Their conceptions and practice in the field of psychotherapy, and its place in psychiatric practice were questioned in-depth.Results The vast majority of residents were interested in psychotherapy, but simultaneously dissatisfied with the training they had received. Almost half opted for various sorts of extra-curricular training, costly in time and money. The psychotherapeutic orientations among these residents were varied, and a plurality of methods and theoretical approaches was advocated both for reasons of having a wider viewpoint and good practice in psychiatry, and because the residents considered this plurality to be an essential component in their training. They saw psychotherapy as a medical practice, and considered that it is the responsibility of the psychiatric discipline to provide training in psychotherapies.Conclusion The absence of any real training in psychotherapies for residents in psychiatry is damaging for care quality in psychiatry. The recent creation of a protected title of psychotherapist for psychiatrists without the need of additional training suggests an urgent need to develop a training course. A proposal by the authors should be discussed in light of reflections and proposals already underway in other countries.

[Choosing the name in international adoption]. / Le choix du prénom dans les situations d'adoption internationale.

In the context of international adoption, the question is raised of the links which the adoptive parents may or may not maintain with the culture of the child's birth country. The name which the adoptive parents choose reflects this questioning. A study was carried out into this subject with parents and children in order to gain a better understanding of the feelings of belonging, filiation and affiliation in these situations.

Encouraging French medical students to choose a career in psychiatry: how and why?

There is an increasing demand for psychiatrists in France. This paper reviews the reasons for French medical students choosing psychiatry and the rationale and mechanisms for encouraging them towards this medical speciality. The main factors associated with choosing psychiatry as a career are the quantity and quality of undergraduate training and placements in psychiatry, better attitudes towards psychiatry and more emphasis on a positive life/work balance. The quality of postgraduate training can also influence students' decisions. Medical students should be encouraged to choose psychiatry first to counterbalance the existing stigma towards mental illness within the society, but also towards psychiatry within the medical profession, and second because of the current decline in French medical demography. Ways to improve recruitment are a selection process that favours a large number of psychiatric trainees, and an increase in the quality and quantity of training. Providing medical students with relevant information about training in psychiatry, notably through a national trainees' association, will not only improve the quality of care by increasing recruitment in psychiatry, but also ensure that all future doctors are familiar with and develop positive attitudes towards mental health issues.