Open AccessWhat makes a good psychiatrist? A survey of clinical tutors responsible for psychiatric training in the UK and Eire
Author(s) -
BHUGRA DINESH,
SIVAKUMAR KANDIAH,
HOLSGROVE GARETH,
BUTLER GEORGIA,
LEESE MORVEN
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
world psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 15.51
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 2051-5545
pISSN - 1723-8617
DOI - 10.1002/j.2051-5545.2009.tb00226.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , child and adolescent psychiatry , medicine , empathy , service (business) , medical education , psychology , economics , economy
The characteristics of a good psychiatrist practising in the UK health services have been described in policy but not in practice. We set out to determine what key characteristics are required for an individual to be identified as a good psychiatrist to become a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. A postal survey of all clinical tutors responsible for psychiatric training in the UK and Eire was carried out. These tutors are approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. 113 tutors responded (out of 163, 69.3% return). The most important identified characteristic was overall competency in diagnosis, management and investigations (98%) and the least desirable was ability to appraise staff (13%). With recent changes in training and assessment in the UK, further surveys of this kind are indicated to understand the trainers' views, and should be extended also to trainees.