Who wants to be a psychiatrist? Northern Ireland foundation doctors (2006–2018) are positive toward psychiatry as career choice

Abstract

Aims and method Northern Ireland presents itself as an anomaly – a region in which only 31.8% of doctors enter into any training programme after completion of the Foundation Programme, but where Core Psychiatry has been consistently oversubscribed. Here, we aim to find what other regions can learn from this success. All doctors of any grade, working in psychiatry, who had been though the Foundation Programme were questioned on their motivations for becoming a psychiatry trainee. Results Sixty-two doctors currently working in psychiatry responded, including over 60% of current trainees, and 45% stated they had not considered a career in psychiatry before their foundation attachment. Over 80% preferred foundation placements in FY2 only, rather than in either foundation year 1 or FY2. Clinical implications This survey identifies that for the majority of people who ultimately chose to train in psychiatry, in a region that has consistently attracted candidates to core and higher level training, completion of a foundation psychiatry post was an influencing factor in this decision. A strong majority of doctors prefer the foundation psychiatry placement to be offered in FY2.

Why it’s worthwhile training as a psychiatrist

“…Rewarding medical school experiences in psychiatry training can stimulate interest in placements during junior medical officer rotations, prior to specialist training, which in turn lead to ongoing interest in a career in psychiatry. 5 Psychiatric training builds upon general medicine, which provides the core general medical skills needed. Owing to the overlap of fields, experience in neuroscience, neurology and psychology is useful, from either formal training or experience, and may complement basic medical student education where available.…”

Using socially distanced and online simulation training to improve the confidence of junior doctors in psychiatry

“…For example, work experience is a major determinant of career choice, and most decisions to pursue psychiatry occur following graduation. [3][4][5][6] In particular, requirements to practice independently during on-call shifts and access senior supervision remotely out of hours means that junior doctors must feel confident managing acute psychiatry presentations and emergencies; this contrasts to medical and surgical specialties, where senior support for foundation and core trainee doctors is typically readily available on-site. 7 Prior research has demonstrated that many junior doctors perceive themselves to lack knowledge, skills and confidence for assessing mental health patients.…”