Psychiatric Bulletin (2002) 26: 198. doi: 10.1192/pb.26.5.198
© 2002 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2002) 26: 198
© 2002 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Special interest sessions
some thoughts
Tom Picton, Specialist Registrar in Psychiatry of Learning Disabilities
Heath House, Grange Way, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GU
Sir: The correspondence from McIntosh (Psychiatric Bulletin,
January 2002, 26, 37) on the use of her special interest sessions for a
placement in public health was a welcome sight for specialist registrars such
as myself because unless a training scheme has special interest sessions
already established, this is often left to our imagination and
resourcefulness, so one is grateful for any inspiration.
A recent study (Stephenson & Puffett, Psychiatric Bulletin,
May 2000, 124, 187-188) revealed that some trainees have real problems
in knowing what to do about these sessions. Something along the lines of an
internet database of pooled experiences might be valuable and I would be happy
to be contacted by any interested parties.
Finally, we also need to be aware that placements outside of our employing
trusts may not be covered either by trust indemnity or by our defence
organisations, and it may be necessary to negotiate a contract with the trust
our sessions are with.