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Original papers: Laura Robinson Are psychiatrists real doctors? A survey of the medical experience and training of psychiatric trainees in the west of Scotland Psychiatr Bull 2005; 29: 62-64 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Are Psychiatrists Real Doctors?

Harpreet S Pannu   (25 August 2005)

Are Psychiatrists Real Doctors? 25 August 2005
Harpreet S Pannu, Staff Grade Psychiatrist Send letter to journal: Re: Are Psychiatrists Real Doctors? harpreet.pannu{at}nottshc.nhs.uk Harpreet S Pannu	Are Psychiatrists real doctors? The survey of psychiatric trainees in Scotland by Robinson (Psychiatric Bulletin 2005, 29, 62-64) provided an interesting review of the physical health care provided by trainees. The results showing that a significant amount of physical health care is being provided by psychiatric trainees. In my experience south of the border the situation is no different. Particularly in psychiatric long-stay facilities such as Rehabilitation Units and Forensic Units where a large degree of physical morbidity exists. Cormac et al 2004 showed there to be high rates of avoidable health risks such as smoking, obesity, central weight distribution and excessive weight gain. The role of the trainee is to identify and manage problems often of a nature that they have received no formal training for. After completion of pre-registration house jobs, entry straight into psychiatric training schemes is not an uncommon pathway. The notion of managing for example an individual’s diabetes, hypertension or obesity may be quite alien never mind being able to recognise strange skin complaints and other problems commonly encountered in primary care. I have valued experience and training in primary care and at times found it invaluable in assisting me to deal with my patients physical health problems. As the National Service Framework implies that health promotion as well as appropriate access to and delivery of primary care are standards of care that patients with mental disorders require. It may be of value to consider the training needs of psychiatric trainees with regards to management of physical health problems. Declaration of Interest None Word count 250 Cormac, I., Ferriter, M., Benning, R., Saul, C., Physical health and health risk factors in a population of long-stay psychiatric patients Psychiatric Bulletin., Jan 2005; 29: 18 - 20. Department Of Health., National Service Framework For Mental Health, London, DOH, 1999 Dr Harpreet Pannu Staff Grade Psychiatrist Rampton Hospital Retford, DN22 0PD Harpreet.pannu@nottshc.nhs.uk