The experience of stage one psychiatry trainees in rural Australia: A qualitative study of a national sample

Abstract

Objective

Despite recent efforts to promote rural training opportunities, little is known about contemporary trainees’ experiences. The study aimed to explore the experiences of stage one psychiatry trainees in rural Australia, focussing on development across CanMEDs competencies.

Method

Twelve RANZCP trainees who completed stage one training in rural settings across Australia were recruited. The study used a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which were analysed through thematic analysis.

Results

Data revealed three primary themes. First, the interconnectedness of rural communities created an expanded sense of professional identity. Second, resource scarcity represented a duality of challenges and opportunities, which framed the development of generalist competencies. Third, progression through training highlighted challenges related to supervision and trainees’ approach to their learning.

Conclusion

Rural psychiatry training presents a unique interplay of challenges and opportunities that shape trainee development across multiple competency domains, providing a rich platform for professional education and growth. Our results may inform current efforts to enhance the quality of rural psychiatry training.