Careers

How to train as a Psychiatrist

Training takes 5 years in total. The first three years are Basic Training, which is a series of six-month supervised runs in different subspecialties. Written and clinical examinations are usually taken in the 3rd year of Basic Training. Basic Training also requires caregiver, NGO and consumer-orientated activities and the completion of 2 case histories - a first-episode psychiatry case and a psychotherapy case. In addition, during the first three years of training registrars must gain experience in Maori mental health, addiction psychiatry, various aspects of psychotherapy, ECT administration and theory.

This is followed by 2 years of Advanced Training (which may, at this stage, be in a subspecialty). Further experience with psychotherapy and with bio-socio-cultural aspects of management, CME, Leadership and Management and consultation skills are required in Advanced Training. Advanced Training is internally assessed and follows an adult learning model. The Fellowship is awarded on satisfactory completion of Advanced Training, after a minimum of five years training.

To satisfy RANZCP requirements the Auckland Training Programme offers formal teaching. Trainees attend the teaching programme for one day per week each, for two university-style semesters of twelve weeks. The programme is structured into three main streams according to registrar stage of training and uses a variety of teaching methods.

Registrars are required to manage training attachments at a satisfactory level and to make steady progress with required training tasks. Written performance feedback occurs every 3 months.

For more information, see the Auckland Regional Psychiatric Training Committee website and on the Royal New Zealand College of Psychiatrists website.