Education & training |
Reaside Clinic, Birmingham Great Park, Bristol Road South, Rubery, Birmingham B45 9BE, email:clareoakley{at}doctors.org.uk
Highfield Adolescent Unit, Warneford Hospital, Oxford
University of Central Lancashire, Adolescent Forensic Service, Manchester
C.O. is the Chair and O.W. is the immediate past Chair of the Psychiatric Trainees Committee of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. O.W. is a Specialist Registrar undertaking dual training in Child and Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatry. S.B. is the Registrar of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a Professor of Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health.
Abstract
This is a time of rapid change in postgraduate training, the implications of which are wide ranging. This paper reviews the current situation regarding dual training in psychiatry. Included is an analysis of utilisation of dual training in psychiatric specialities gleaned via the College membership data and an examination of the current employment prospects in relation to dual training. The impact on dual training of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC), competency-based training and the possibility of a single Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in psychiatry is considered. Suggestions are then made for the way forward.