The experience of psychiatry training in rural NSW

Louise Nash; Catherine Hickie; Scott Clark; Aspasia Karageorge; Patrick J Kelly; Maree Earle

doi:10.1177/1039856214543086

The experience of psychiatry training in rural NSW

Australas Psychiatry. 2014 Oct;22(5):492-9. doi: 10.1177/1039856214543086. Epub 2014 Jul 29.

Authors

Louise Nash¹, Catherine Hickie², Scott Clark³, Aspasia Karageorge⁴, Patrick J Kelly⁵, Maree Earle⁶

Affiliations

¹ NSW Rural Coordinator of Training of the Rural Psychiatry Project, NSW Branch RANZCP, Rozelle, NSW; Clinical Chair in Psychiatry, Health Education and Training Institute, Sydney, NSW; Associate Director of Teaching and Learning, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia louise.nash@sydney.edu.au.
² Director of Clinical Training, Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol, Bloomfield Hospital, Western NSW Local Health District, Orange, NSW; Psychiatrist, HNET Psychiatry, Hunter New England Local Health District, NSW; Conjoint Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW; Steering Committee Member of the Rural Psychiatry Project of NSW Branch RANZCP, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ Clinical Director, Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Service, Western NSW Local Health District, Dubbo, NSW; Associate Professor, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW; Chair, Rural Psychiatry Project of NSW Branch RANZCP, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁴ Research Project Coordinator, Clinical Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁵ Senior Lecturer, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁶ Immediate Past Manager, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists NSW Branch and Manger of Projects (NSW), Rozelle, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 25073659
DOI: 10.1177/1039856214543086

Abstract

Objective: To examine the experience of psychiatry training in rural New South Wales.

Method: All rural trainees in New South Wales and key psychiatrists involved in their training were invited to complete a survey in May-July 2013.

Results: Responses were received from 26 out of 44 rurally placed psychiatry trainees (57% response rate) and 37 out of 55 psychiatrists involved in training in a rural area (67% response rate). Positive and negative aspects of rural training were reported. In general, trainees reported positive experiences regarding supervision, consultant input and their Site Coordinator of training. Their experience of other aspects of training and education in rural areas was often negative with 52% of trainees feeling at a disadvantage due to fewer registrar peers and 60% feeling educationally isolated. Difficulty progressing through training, workforce shortages, difficulty accessing formal aspects of training and limited options for advanced training were reported. Metropolitan trainees on rotation to rural terms receive accommodation, travel and an increase in wage from the rural Local Health District. Rural trainees on rotation to the city for their mandatory subspecialty training receive no such support.

Conclusions: There are many challenges for rural trainees. Support from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and state and federal governments to enhance the rural training experience is vital.

Keywords: medical education; psychiatry; rural health.

MeSH terms

Adult
Humans
Internship and Residency / standards*
New South Wales
Psychiatry / education*
Rural Health Services / standards*