History lived, history told: Psychiatrists’ perspectives on the development of the Département de psychiatrie de l’Université de Montréal
Objectives We have interviewed psychiatrists from different generations at the Département de psychiatrie de l’Université de Montréal to discern the history lived and told by those who have made (and still make) the history of the Department. The goal of this approach was to grasp the past in order to enlighten the future of the Département de psychiatrie de l’Université de Montréal. Method Thirteen psychiatrists of the department have been interviewed about their perspective on the history of the Département de psychiatrie de l’Université de Montréal. Results Interviews have identified an issue in the communication of history among the Department. Indeed, most of the younger psychiatrists were not aware of some of the main events and figures which were part of the development of the Department. The older psychiatrists mention Dr Camille Laurin as an important figure of the Department’s early stages. Psychotherapy, education and clinical practice appear as key aspects of the Department’s history. Conclusion Many aspects of the Department’s history appear unknown to the younger psychiatrists. A course on History of Psychiatry, including the Department’s history, would be a great addition to the psychiatry residency program.