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Medical students' perspective of maximum security psychiatric care

The University of Edinburgh, Kennedy Tower, Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH10 5HF;

Colin M. Gray, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

The State Hospital, Carstairs;

Martin S. Humphreys, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychiatry

University of Birmingham

^* Correspondence

Aims and method This study describes the effects of teaching medical students in a maximum security psychiatric setting. A questionnaire was distributed to students (n=210) at the beginning and end of their third year.

Results Following the visit to the State Hospital significantly more students understood that maximum security psychiatric facilities are part of the National Health Service; that some serious offenders may require hospitalisation rather than imprisonment; that not everyone detained in such surroundings is actively violent or dangerous, or permanently detained. Twenty-three students considered forensic psychiatry to be a possible career option.

Clinical implications This study demonstrates that early exposure, even to such a specialised area of practice, can enhance the prospects of future recruitment. Attracting motivated, able and interested doctors is important in improving patient care.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Reiss and S. Chamberlain A survey of forensic psychiatry teaching in UK medical schools Psychiatr. Bull., August 1, 2001; 25(8): 299 - 301. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]