Psychiatry training experiences: a narrative synthesis.

OBJECTIVE: In Australia and internationally, psychiatry has struggled to fill training places to keep up with demand for service. The objective of this study was to review the components of psychiatry terms and placements that determine a positive experience and potentially influence interest in vocational training in psychiatry.

METHOD: A literature review and narrative synthesis was undertaken on 20 papers identified as meeting inclusion criteria.

RESULTS: The top themes contributing to positive experiences during the psychiatry term were: receiving high quality supervision; supported autonomy; and witnessing patient recovery. There was a paucity of Australian literature preventing investigation of the Australian context alone.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to better understand how the junior doctor and medical student psychiatry experience influences perceptions of psychiatry and intention to specialise, especially in the Australian context.