Dual training in medical psychotherapy and psychiatry: advanced trainee perspectives

Abstract

The medical psychotherapy integrated dual training programme in Yorkshire started in 2006. Over five years, the trainees achieve competencies simultaneously in medical psychotherapy and either in general adult or forensic psychiatry. The programme is structured in a way that trainees move between the two subspecialties within the working week, for the duration of the training. There are currently six advanced dual trainees (two of whom are less than full time). To give the reader a glimpse of this training, we have presented our individual accounts from six different vantage points. Our descriptions hopefully convey that supervision and personal therapy help hold this training together. We feel that an overall advantage of this integrated training is that we have an up-to-date knowledge and experience of both specialities along with a longer period of development within personal therapy. Whichever path we pursue, either as a psychiatrist or medical psychotherapist, we will offer additional qualities to the post. In the ever-changing National Health Service (NHS) of today, we understand how vital this will be to remain credible as consultants. For those of us who wish to further a career in psychoanalysis, an external training may be a viable option for the future.

Keywords:

• medical psychotherapy
• psychiatry
• forensic
• therapy

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Drs Gearoid Fitzgerald, James Johnston, Anne Cooper, Adrian Berry, John Kent, Claire Darling and Wendy Burn for their support with the dual training in medical psychotherapy and psychiatry.

Notes

1. Personal therapy is a requirement for the advanced training in medical psychotherapy.