The current study investigated race, gender and the "brain drain" in the Midlands Hospital (Pietermaritzburg) intern clinical psychology training programme. During the 20-year period between 1981 and 2000 a total of 128 interns were accepted into the programme. Almost three-quarters of the interns were White, and the majority of the sample was unskilled in the predominant language spoken in the region. Approximately 60% of the interns trained were female.

Our results indicate that there is a higher prevalence of eating disorder pathology in Black men than in White men. This lends support to the possible association between acculturation and eating disorders, and challenges the assumption that non-Western individuals--and Black men in particular--are protected from body image disturbances and disordered eating patterns.

Rates of out-patient psychotherapy follow-up after hospitalisation for non-fatal suicidal behaviour (NFSB) are reported to be poor internationally. A study at a South African general hospital revealed that over a 12-month period 201 patients were admitted and referred for psychological consultation following NFSB. All first appointments were kept. However, only 43.5% of the 191 patients given subsequent out-patient appointments attended. No significant gender or age effects were noted. The results are discussed in the context of possible explanations for the high rate of non-attendance and the clinical value of the first in-patient psychological session. The authors also discuss some of the circumstances surrounding the first consultation and the ethical issues associated with the in-patient management of NFSB. We argue that the benefits of a first in-patient psychological consultation without explicit informed consent appear to outweigh the risks and harms, based on the ethical obligation of responsible caring.