Factors that influence psychiatric trainees’ choice of higher training specialty: mixed-methods study

Abstract

Aims and method Factors influencing trainees’ decisions about choosing and remaining in higher training subspecialties have not been widely researched. We administered telephone questionnaires to higher specialist trainees in the north-east of England to ascertain what influences these decisions. Thematic analysis was employed to develop overall constructs. Results Twenty-seven trainees were interviewed, resulting in six overall constructs. These were: supervisory experiences; perceived work–life balance; career prospects; training and working environments; interest in the chosen subspecialty; and previous experience within the chosen subspecialty. Most trainees interviewed felt they had made the right specialty choice. Clinical implications This study demonstrates the particular importance of exposure to a specialty and perceptions of the supervisory experience in determining trainees’ choices of, and decisions to remain in, a particular psychiatric specialty. Factors highlighted in this study must inform training, recruitment and workforce planning in order to bolster the recruitment and retention of trainees into higher specialty training.