Electronic Letters to:

Special articles:
Peter Tyrer
Is research just an optional extra in clinical psychiatry? Invited commentary on... Research as part of the career of a psychiatrist entering clinical practice
Psychiatr Bull 2009; 33: 273-274 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
*eLetters: Submit a response to this article

Electronic letters published:

[Read eLetter] Integrating research into the career of a psychiatrist in the past, present and future?
Sameer Jauhar   (5 November 2009)

Integrating research into the career of a psychiatrist in the past, present and future? 5 November 2009
Top
Sameer Jauhar,
ST5 General Adult Psychiatry
Hairmyres Hospital, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Send letter to journal:
Re: Integrating research into the career of a psychiatrist in the past, present and future?

sameerjauhar{at}gmail.com Sameer Jauhar

Following the maelstrom of Modernising Medical Careers and changes to postgraduate training in the United Kingdom, trainees’ exposure to research has changed significantly. At an early stage those interested in a research career apply for a limited number of Academic Clinical Fellow and Clinical Lecturer posts, through Academic Programmes. The latest version of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ OP 65, “Specialist Training in Psychiatry” (3) advocates two sessions of “protected time” for Higher Trainees for both Research and Special Interest Sessions (unlike the four sessions advocated in the past(2)). Anecdotal feedback from trainees across the United Kingdom suggests that significant numbers of Higher trainees are therefore not conducting research (favouring audit), and though provision is made in the curriculum for research, deaneries are not compelled to enforce this.

Australian colleagues have pointed to this problem in the past (4), and used the analogy of knowledge of research methods and statistics without conducting actual research being akin to that of practising medicine based solely on theoretical knowledge, without patient contact.

Furthermore, at a time when recruitment into psychiatry is in the spotlight, one of the accepted reasons for students neglecting psychiatry as a career choice (perceived lack of a scientific basis (5)) may be accentuated.

The ramifications of this shift could be that an entire generation of psychiatrists stop asking (and testing) the clinically relevant questions and that aspiring students do not enjoy the enriching experience of research.

References

1. Fogel J. Research as part of the career of a psychiatrist entering clinical practice. Psychiatr Bull. 2009 Jul 1;33(7):269-272.

2. Tyrer P. Is research just an optional extra in clinical psychiatry? Invited commentary on... Research as part of the career of a psychiatrist entering clinical practice. Psychiatr Bull. 2009 Jul 1;33(7):273-274.

3.Royal College of Psychiatrists. OP 65; Specialist Training in Psychiatry: A Comprehensive guide 
to training and assessment in the UK for trainees and local educational providers.
 (http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/PDF/StRGuiderrevised%2015%20September%202009AB%20CD.pdf)

4.Hay P., Mulder R., Boyce P. The scientific practitioner in psychiatry for the 21st century. Australasian Psychiatry. 2003 Dec;11:442- 445.

5. Malhi GS, Parker GB, Parker K, Carr VJ, Kirkby KC, Yellowlees P, et al. Attitudes toward psychiatry among students entering medical school. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 2003;107(6):424-429.