Training Implications of the Shift to Community-Orientated Psychiatric Services. Collegiate Trainees' Committee Working Party Report

Abstract

Freeman pointed out that in 1968 the Royal Commission on Medical Education suggested that “every psychiatrist should be familiar with the conduct of community psychiatry”. In 1987, we still seem to be no nearer achieving this recommendation despite the fact that 60,000 patients have since been discharged into the community, most mental hospitals are being reduced in size and 32% are due to be closed. Whilst doubts have been expressed about the wisdom of these changes, it is unlikely that the process will be reversed. Progress towards adequate training in community psychiatry has been both sluggish and sporadic.