An exploration of core psychiatry trainees experience of and thoughts surrounding personal psychotherapy

Abstract

A web-based survey was sent out to the core trainees 1–3 (CT1–3) at the University College London Partners training scheme in North London to explore their thoughts on the role of personal psychotherapy in psychiatry training. Information was asked regarding demographics, personal psychotherapy experience, thoughts about starting psychotherapy and how this could be supported by the training scheme. One-third of the respondents had undertaken personal psychotherapy. Most of them felt there had been a personal and professional benefit from it. Of the remaining trainees, the majority would consider it. The majority of trainees felt that it should be incorporated into some form in the curriculum. Subsidized cost, availability during work hours, taster sessions and more information available were suggestions of how to make it accessible to trainees. There is value in training schemes and psychotherapists increasing awareness of the benefits of psychotherapy in psychiatry. This will not only have a positive benefit to the patients we treat but also maintain our own well-being and prevent the all too common state of ‘burnout’ in psychiatrists.

Keywords:

• psychiatric trainees
• personal psychotherapy
• qualitative research
• medical education