Does Education Influence Pediatricians' Perceptions of Physician-specific Barriers for Maternal Depression?

Pediatric residency reforms have increased emphasis on psychosocial issues, but we do not know whether this has changed pediatricians' perceptions of barriers to addressing maternal depression. A survey of 1600 members of the American Academy of Pediatrics investigated whether training in adult mental health issues and perceived barriers to addressing maternal depression differed for current pediatric residents, pediatricians in practice <5 years, and those in practice >or=5 years. Training did not differ for respondents who were currently in training, in practice <5 years, or in practice >or=5 years. Those in practice >or=5 years reported more barriers to addressing maternal depression compared with current residents. Current residents with training in adult mental techniques reported fewer barriers to the care of maternal depression. However, in spite of residency reforms, 81% of current residents reported no training in adult mental health issues.