A survey of psychotherapy experience among psychiatric registrars

Abstract

Psychotherapy is recognised as an integral part of general psychiatric education at the level of preparation for the membership exam. Guidelines were first published over 20 years ago by the Royal Medico-Psychological Association (RMPA, 1971). In 1986 these guidelines were reviewed and clarified amid some pessimism about how widely the previous recommendations were being met (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1986). The shortage of consultant psychotherapists and the competing demands of other service and training commitments were suggested as explanations for this.