Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate trainee experiences of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) training across
Europe in the following domains: (A) structure and organisation of training; (B) training quality and content; and (C) working
conditions and recruitment. CAP trainee representatives were contacted via email across 34 countries in Europe using the European
Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) email list to complete a survey on CAP training in 2010–2011. The European Union
of Medical Specialties CAP group and trainees at the 2011 EFPT forum validated the survey data. Full surveys were submitted
by 28 of the 34 countries who have national CAP training schemes. These 28 countries are subject to the following further
analysis. 7/28 countries (25 %) have a core common trunk in general psychiatry before trainees specialise in CAP. All countries
bar one have national training standards for CAP. Training standards are implemented in practice to a variable extent. There
is a CAP-specific theoretical education programme and national CAP conference in 25/28 countries (89 %). Supervision occurs
at least weekly in 19/28 countries (68 %); emergency duty supervision is available in 18/28 (64 %) countries; educational
supervision is available in 13/28 countries (46 %). Psychotherapy training is obligatory in 19/28 countries (68 %). Research
training is obligatory in 8/28 countries (29 %). Sub-specialty experience is extremely variable. Recruitment into CAP is a
problem in 19/28 countries (68 %). Training experiences in CAP varies widely across European countries.
Europe in the following domains: (A) structure and organisation of training; (B) training quality and content; and (C) working
conditions and recruitment. CAP trainee representatives were contacted via email across 34 countries in Europe using the European
Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) email list to complete a survey on CAP training in 2010–2011. The European Union
of Medical Specialties CAP group and trainees at the 2011 EFPT forum validated the survey data. Full surveys were submitted
by 28 of the 34 countries who have national CAP training schemes. These 28 countries are subject to the following further
analysis. 7/28 countries (25 %) have a core common trunk in general psychiatry before trainees specialise in CAP. All countries
bar one have national training standards for CAP. Training standards are implemented in practice to a variable extent. There
is a CAP-specific theoretical education programme and national CAP conference in 25/28 countries (89 %). Supervision occurs
at least weekly in 19/28 countries (68 %); emergency duty supervision is available in 18/28 (64 %) countries; educational
supervision is available in 13/28 countries (46 %). Psychotherapy training is obligatory in 19/28 countries (68 %). Research
training is obligatory in 8/28 countries (29 %). Sub-specialty experience is extremely variable. Recruitment into CAP is a
problem in 19/28 countries (68 %). Training experiences in CAP varies widely across European countries.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Contribution
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-012-0275-8
- Authors
- Meinou Simmons, The Phoenix Centre, Ida Darwin Hospital, Fulbourn, Cambridge, UK
- Elizabeth Barrett, Department of Liaison Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Our Lady’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Paul Wilkinson, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Lucia Pacherova, Department of Child Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital, Prague-Bohnice, Prague, Czech Republic
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827