The Impact of Indian Teachers of Psychiatry (IToP) Scholarship for Teachers Towards Enrichment of Psychiatry Teaching Skills (STEPS): A Model for Capacity Building of Psychiatry Teachers

TL;DR

This study evaluates a training program for Indian psychiatry teachers, showing it improves their teaching skills and can be a model for other countries.

Contribution

The study introduces a replicable model for capacity building in psychiatry education through the IToP STEPS program.

Findings

16 participants rated the training quality as 4/5, indicating high satisfaction.

Participants felt better equipped with teaching methods and innovative strategies.

The program is suggested as a replicable model for countries facing psychiatry education challenges.

Abstract

Aims: To assess the impact of Indian teachers of psychiatry (IToP) scholarship for teachers towards enrichment of psychiatry teaching skills (STEPS).

Methods: It is a cross-sectional study with Institutional ethical clearance that was carried out online through Google forms from March to Nov 2024. Data was collected through a specifically developed structured questionnaire. Most questions were open-ended questions, and a few were graded on a five-point Likert scale (1 to 5).

Results: A total of 16 participants, who were trained from the year 2020 to 2024 in IToP STEPS programme were included in the study. 10 were men and 6 women. Faculty ranged from Professors to Assistant Professors. 75% were involved in teaching both undergraduates and postgraduates. All rated the training as 4/5 on quality that fulfilled the expectation. They felt better equipped with teaching methods, innovative strategies and assessments.

Conclusion: Capacity building of psychiatry teachers is much needed to enhance quality of training and thereby psychiatry services. IToP STEPS is a model that can be replicated in other countries where psychiatry education and services is a challenge.