Through the Glass Darkly: Towards Options for Training, Examination and Continuing Education

Abstract

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a Fellowship of Psychiatrists working together with and for the general community to achieve the best attainable quality of psychiatric care and mental health [1]. Since its incorporation as the Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in 1963 over 2000 psychiatrists have become fellows of the College, most by successfully completing the training and examinations process, either in its present form or in an earlier incarnation. The basic framework for the training and examination of psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand was set down over 30 years ago. It has been modified substantially over the years as training expanded from a three-year membership to a five-year fellowship program. The current system has served us well, producing psychiatrists who compare favourably with their peers anywhere in the world and who have made significant contributions to knowledge in the field. The current review of training, examination and continuing education is not a criticism of past training and examination. Rather, it is an opportunity to consider whether present practices are the most appropriate to equip future psychiatrists to meet the needs and expectations of the community.

Assessing Assessing! An Examination of the Impact of the New RANZCP by-Laws for Training

“…Local and international debate regarding curricula, appraisal and delivery of education is well and truly alive 7 , 15– 17 These discussions will need to be ongoing as we all grapple with the benefits and limitations of new training programmes and methods of assessment.…”

An Outline of the Planned Work of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' Board of Education

“…Some information about competencies (knowledge, skills and attitudes) can be derived from collation of the opinions of psychiatrists, such as that brought together in the publications of Adler and Mathieson. [1], [2] The widely used CanMeds framework of knowledge, skills and attitudes is another guide to modern approaches for determining requisite competencies. The profession has a range of views on appropriate interview skills and styles but it is substantially uninfluenced by empirical studies on how consumers actually experience, or more particularly benefit from, difference in styles.…”

Preparing Psychiatrists for a Changing World: Review of Training, Examinations and Continuing Education (Final Report)

“…The purpose of the Project was to review and propose modification to the existing College Fellowship training and education program. An issues paper, “Throwing out the bathwater …” 1 and an options paper, “Through the glass darkly …” 2 have been published in Australasian Psychiatry . Almost 100 responses to these two papers have been received from individuals and groups with an interest in the issues raised.…”