Psychiatry Departments Under Constrained Funding Mechanisms or What Is a Chairperson to Do?

Abstract

Objective

The authors surveyed academic departments of psychiatry to examine what effect decreases in funding levels may be having.

Methods

An internet survey of all departments of psychiatry was conducted at US medical schools. The response rate was 43 of 120 programs. Both large more research intensive and smaller more clinical departments responded.

Results

Majorities of departments reported that funding decreases negatively impacted faculty recruitment, research, faculty retention, and teaching programs. Approximately, one-third reported laying-off non-tenured faculty members and almost half, staff members. Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding was also a challenge. Departments reported responding by attempting to develop alternative funding sources. Few departments in the sample were doing significant fund raising.

Conclusions

Academic departments find themselves stressed financially and are constricting some functions that are thought important. They are, in general, not able to replace lost funding. The research enterprise appears to be disproportionately affected and results in problems recruiting faculty. GME programs thus far seem less affected. Overall, funding issues appear to be causing serious issues that will have long-term consequences.