Attitudes to and awareness of flexible training in psychiatry in Birmingham

Abstract

Part-time training has been available for over 25 years. However, women remain under represented in the higher grades. Following the report of the Joint Working Party on Flexible Training, April 1993, we aimed to investigate awareness and attitudes towards flexible training in Birmingham among psychiatric trainees and their consultants. The results suggest that while most had heard of flexible training, many had little knowledge of the recent registrar flexible training scheme locally. A substantial minority of doctors agreed with pejorative statements about part-time training and more of these were Juniors. Senior psychiatrists did not perceive part-time training adversely and many would consider part-time work in the future.