Preparing for Consultancy: Setting Up a New Psychiatry Service as an Advanced Trainee

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to describe the experience of an advanced trainee establishing a new psychiatry service, and to demonstrate how such an activity is a viable option for advanced training and helps develop consultancy skills. A detailed description of this process is provided, with a particular focus on consultation, training issues, service evaluation and the challenges encountered.

Conclusions: Involvement in establishing a new psychiatric service provides an advanced training experience which may prepare the trainee for consultancy by developing core skills such as communication, administration, leadership, teaching and experience in quality assurance.

Keywords

advanced training consultation-liaison psychiatry training service development

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