New - PSYCHIATRY NEEDS YOU: A TRAINEE CAREERS DAY IN PSYCHIATRY

Friday, 1st December 2006, 2:00pm – 5:00pm, New Lecture Hall, St. Patrick’s Hospital, Dublin 8
The Trainee Section of the Irish College of Psychiatrists is organising an information day for students, interns and NCHDs with an interest in psychiatry.

In Ireland, all psychiatric training schemes are regulated by the Irish Psychiatric Training Committee (IPTC). This is a statutory body which is recognised by the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board (PGMDB) and the Medical Council as the regulator of psychiatric training. Training schemes at basic and higher levels receive educational approval from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London.

There are currently 12 training schemes in Ireland including:

1. Cavan/Monaghan Postgraduate Training Scheme
2. Donegal Mental Health Services Training Scheme
3. Dublin University Psychiatric Rotational Training Programme....further information
4. Mater & University College Dublin Psychiatric Training Scheme
5. Midland Health Board Psychiatric Training Scheme
6. Mid-Western Psychiatric Training Scheme
7. Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland / Eastern Regional Health Authority Psychiatric Training Scheme
8. St John of God / St Vincent’s University Hospital Postgraduate Training Scheme in Psychiatry
9. Sligo Mental Health Service Training Scheme in Psychiatry
10. South Eastern Regional Rotational Training Scheme in Psychiatry
11. Southern Region Psychiatric Training Programme
12. Western Postgraduate Training Scheme in Psychiatry

The various training schemes advertise and interview separately. Details of training posts available on the above training schemes are often given in the weekly national and medical press e.g. Irish Medical News, Irish Medical Times or the Sunday Independent.

For further information regarding psychiatry training in Ireland please contact the administrator of the IPTC at:

Irish Psychiatric Training Committee
Corrigan House
Fenian Street
Dublin 2

Tel: (01) 676 3875 or www.iptc.ie

Inceptorship
Most trainees in psychiatry are not yet members of the College, and we are very keen to encourage future members to be actively involved in College activities. The best way of achieving this is for trainees to enrol as an Inceptor. Inceptorship - What is it?

Trainee Handbook
In 2003, the Trainee Section of the Irish College of Psychiatrists published a handbook entitled: Psychiatry Training in the Republic of Ireland – A Resource Book for Trainees. It is aimed at those currently undertaking psychiatry training or thinking of psychiatry as a career. It is also a useful resource for tutors and trainers. The content of the handbook has been updated and the most recent version (May 2005) is available to download here Free copies of the published handbook are available from the ICPsych Administration Office.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists website has a wealth of information regarding Training and Development. For details click here.

A handbook for overseas doctors has been produced by the RCPsych and is available here.

OSCES
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has published a new book OSCEs in Psychiatry. This is a practical guide for candidates preparing for the Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) of the MRCPsych. The first part of the book gives tips on preparing for and passing the exam. The second part explores the skills tested in the different OSCE ‘stations’ that a candidate is likely to encounter.

The book is backed up by an accompanying CD-ROM, on which interactive video footage allows prospective candidates to experience ‘virtual’ OSCE stations and test their own performance. For further information please click here.


An information circular regarding the O.S.C.E. has been produced by Dr. Martin Mahon. To see the latest version click here

New - Statement on recruitment and selection to Specialist training

Finally, the Trainee Section of the Irish College of Psychiatrists was formed in May 2002. Information regarding the Section and its activities can be found by clicking here.