Objective: To look at the perceptions of New South Wales (NSW) psychiatric trainees in relation to their training experiences and the role and quality of the consultant registrar relationship.
Methods: A self-report questionnaire was developed to probe trainee perceptions of the consultant–trainee relationship in all those who had completed at least 1 year of training in psychiatry (n = 138) in NSW, as well as all consultants who had completed their training in the last 5 years (n = 95). Test-retest reliability was assessed at 3 months for each of the subscales (r = 0.70–0.89) and found to be acceptable. Validity issues are discussed.
Results: The results are discussed with special reference to the perceived competence, availability, breadth of knowledge and willingness to accept responsibilities of the supervising consultant. Consultant competence as a clinician was consistently rated as more important than being emotionally supportive.
Conclusion: In addressing these issues, we aim to increase the degree of self-consciousness and reflectiveness of the profession of psychiatry within the Australian context. If there is to be a substantial shift for the better in trainees' perceptions of consultants, it is likely that the general consultant experience will have to be improved rather than providing small amounts of exposure to high quality consultants.
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