Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 393-394. doi: 10.1192/pb.29.10.393-d
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 393-394
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Modernising psychiatric education
P. Lepping, Consultant Psychiatrist/Honorary Lecturer
Llwyn Y Groes Psychiatric Unit, North East Wales NHS Trust, Wrexham
Maelor Hospital, Croesnewydd Road, Wrexham LL13 7TD, e-mail:
PETER.LEPPING{at}new-tr.wales.nhs.uk
The article by Dr Brown et al (Psychiatric Bulletin June 2005,
29, 228-230) on modernising psychiatric education summarised very well
the current position and thinking with regards to the overhaul of medical
education and psychiatric education in particular. I doubt though that enough
emphasis has been given to who is actually going to provide this education. Dr
Brown et al allude to potential problems when they say that adequate
planning and fair warning has to be given to trainers and trainees about the
intended changes, but it remains unclear whether these can be achieved in a
climate of continuous recruitment problems in psychiatry. As a senior house
officer scheme organiser, trainer and honorary lecturer I am also aware of the
time constraints, which already limit the amount of time that consultants can
spend with their trainees. Moreover, the new shift systems have significantly
reduced the amount of time for consultants and trainees to meet. The
proposals, as outlined in the article, emphasise more modular and
assessment-based teaching, which in turn will inevitably require much more
time devoted to trainees by their trainers. It is absolutely vital that before
we embark on such significant changes we make sure that they can actually be
delivered on the ground, which I very much doubt is possible with current
staffing levels.