Future-proofing the psychiatry workforce in Australia: evaluation of an innovative enrichment programme for medical students

Abstract

Objective: The Claassen Institute of Psychiatry for Medical Students (the Institute) is an innovative enrichment programme aimed at attracting medical students to psychiatry. This paper reports on the effectiveness of the Institute as a strategy to increase interest in psychiatry as a career, and the career pathways of students who have attended since 2008. Method: Students completed a baseline questionnaire on day 1 and the final day of the Institute. A follow-up survey was administered electronically to ex-Institute students to determine their career pathways and current level of interest in psychiatry. Results: Since 2008, 117 students have attended the Institute. There was a significant increase in those ‘definitely’ considering a career in psychiatry from 57% at baseline to 77% at the end of the week. Eighty-nine ex-Institute students were invited to participate in the follow-up survey, and of these 21% were currently psychiatry trainees. Conclusion: The Institute has been successful in encouraging medical students to pursue a career in psychiatry. Enrichment programmes are emerging as an effective recruitment strategy and will assist in future-proofing the psychiatric workforce in decades to come.