[Transfer of knowledge in psychiatry through the 4 editions from 1980 to 2016 of the Quebec psychiatry manual].

Abstract

Objectives To examine the transfer of knowledge in psychiatry, longitudinally, over more than 35 years, through the 4 editions of the manual "Psychiatrie clinique" published in Quebec, thanks to the initiative of the publication directors affiliated with the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (formerly the Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital). Our hypothesis is that the evolution of the content and form of such a manual reflects an evolution of knowledge in psychiatry with a naturally educational vocation which of what must be known and applicable in the discipline. We expect, in our longitudinal examination, to identify the evolution of this knowledge transfer and the contexts of this change. Method We compare the form and content of the editions of 1980, 1988, 1999-2001 and 2016. One of the directors (Lalonde P.) is associated with the 4 editions. We examine more specifically the number and disciplinary origin of the authors, the evolution of the themes and titles of the chapters. Results The weight of the manual increased from 1155 to 4181 g. There is an increase of 107% in the number of pages, 390% in the number of authors and 118% in the number of chapters. Some chapters have disappeared: Neuroses, Homosexuality. Several have appeared: Epistemology, Genetics, Neurobiology, Brain Imaging, Eating Disorders, Chronic Pain, etc. The bio-psycho-social approach has remained the reference framework since the beginning. DSM classifications of diseases have evolved. Trends in psychosocial treatments are discernible, having increased from 7 to 13 chapters. The multidisciplinary aspect has increased. The sections that have grown the most are child psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry as well as drug addictions. Conclusion From 1980 to 2016, the work reflected the evolution of scientific knowledge, thanks to the contributions of multiple authors, clinicians, and researchers, selected for their expertise. Initially aimed at family physicians, its readership has expanded to medical students, psychiatry residents and other health sciences students. Several generations of learners, now clinicians, doctors, general practitioners, or specialists, have referred to it. Over time, the success of "Psychiatrie clinique: approche bio-psycho-sociale" has spread throughout the international Francophonie, making it possible to disseminate encyclopedic clinical knowledge in an original Quebec work. The evolution of psychiatry is reflected very well through this analysis of the 4 editions of this manual.