Choose Psych

Tuesday, 25 March 2008

Responder Rant

by Dr Bianca Felix

It was a fancy restaurant in Melbourne. Many of Victoria’s top psychiatrists were there. Quite a few trainees and New Fellows were also present.

The new College President, Ken Kirby, had just given an answer to the very pertinent question of how the College intended to help the specialty recruit and retain trainees that didn't quite hit the mark.My colleague, who asked the question, was overwhelmed by established Fellows who beat a path to his table to air their own concerns about the problem. I know because I was sitting next to him and heard every word of it.

The grassroots opinion seemed to be that Psychiatry as a specialty is in serious trouble. That the College needs to do far more to redress the situation, notwithstanding that the situation has been brought about by a myriad of factors.

Fancy videos aimed at medical graduates are all very well, but when the AMA consistently receives more complaints about psychiatry training versus any other speciality training, you would think that the College would acknowledge it has a problem on its hands!

We all know what’s wrong with training, but why did we go into this specialty in the first place? Why do we stay? Why do we leave?

This is an interactive Rant and I want to hear from you!!! We can be generous and help out College at the same time. Follow the prompt to answer the survey and tell us:

Why did YOU choose Psychiatry?

Have you even seriously considered switching specialty?

If so, why?

All entries will go into a draw for a prize.

I’ll start things off:

I chose Psychiatry because I was faced with a choice between a registrar position in Psych and repeating a Junior RMO job in Paeds. At the time, it was a no-brainer!

It also helped that I had done quite a bit of intern work in Psychiatry, and been surrounded by some very dynamic registrars who continually encouraged me to enter training. (GK, you know who you are!)

I consider dropping out of training every time I come up against a brick wall in my desire to pursue topics of particular interest, or part-time positions. However, thus far I have eventually been able to find a position that meets my needs and preferences.

That is my story - and I disqualify myself from entering the prize draw.

What is your story???

If you have some ideas about how College, or your local Branch, could assist the situation, feel free to share them in a Forum discussion. Remember, there ARE senior psychiatrists, at the grassroots level, who share our concerns and think a little video is far from sufficient. We need to articulate our viewpoints and communicate them to College. Don’t let your good ideas whither away unheard – let me and your colleagues know!

I look forward to hearing from you J