The research day: a suitable case for treatment?

Abstract

Aims and MethodThe research day accounts for 20% of time spent in higher training in psychiatry. We sought the views of both trainers and trainees through a postal questionnaire.ResultsTwenty-six schemes were identified nationally and replies were received from 93% of programme directors and 77% of specialist registrar peer group representatives. Only 38% of programme directors and 30% of trainees agreed with the statement that ‘specialist registrars use the research day satisfactorily’. Forty-six per cent of programme directors believed that the research day should be abolished in its present form.Clinical ImplicationsThis survey confirms widespread concern with the way that the research day is organised. We make some suggestions as to how it could be developed into a more effective part of the training process.