Coming on Board: The Assessment of Overseas Trained Psychiatrists by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this paper was to investigate key concerns of overseas trained psychiatrists (OTPs) in Australia and New Zealand surrounding the assessment of their qualifications and their experience of the Fellowship examination process.

Method: A survey of OTPs progressing towards Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) was conducted using an online survey instrument. The survey aimed to explore OTPs’ views regarding the key issues encountered in their progression to Fellowship and to gauge their level of satisfaction with a range of RANZCP support initiatives.

Results: Important areas of concern were elicited across a variety of domains, including the examination process itself, issues around immigration, and differences in professional culture and language. The message to the RANZCP was that there were still important areas of dissatisfaction relating to measures taken to address these concerns.

Conclusions: The authors recommend specific courses of action to address areas where more support is required, and suggest additional areas where more research is needed.