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Attitudes and emotions of trainees in learning disability psychiatry

Gaskell House, Manchester

Rosemary Herbert, Staff Grade Psychiatrist

Bristol Specialist Drug Service, Cedar House, Blackberry Hill Hospital, Manor Road, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2EW

Sarah Price, Specialist Registrar in Adult Psychiatry

Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust

Shan Williams, Specialist Registrar in Old Age Psychiatry

Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

We aimed to formally examine the attitudes and emotions engendered in a group of senior house officers (SHOs) working in learning disability, by means of focus groups held both during and immediately after placement. Three hour-long focus group sessions, facilitated by a consultant psychotherapist, were recorded on audio- and video-tape. Transcripts of the audiotapes were examined in order to identify themes and categorise them in terms of attitudes, behaviours and emotions.

RESULTS

Many of the thoughts, feelings and behaviours identified showed negative themes originating from the trainees, particularly towards themselves and patients. The trainees only twice perceived themselves to be the recipients of any positive themes.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Addressing these negative experiences as a potential problem might enrich and enhance trainees’ experiences of their learning disability placements. A Balint group could be a starting point for this. If the problem were addressed, recruitment to and retention within the specialty might improve.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. B. Cooke and H. Hargovan Development of psychotherapeutic training in learning disability Psychiatr. Bull., March 1, 2005; 29(3): 111 - 113. [Full Text] [PDF]