ADVERSE EXPERIENCES IN PSYCHIATRIC-TRAINING .2.

Objective: To examine the perceptions of New South Wales (NSW) psychia tric trainees in relation to their training, the adverse events they e xperienced and the role and quality of the consultant-registrar relati onship. Method: A self-report questionnaire was developed to probe tra inee perceptions of the consultant-trainee relationship and adverse ev ents during training in all those who had completed at least 1 year of training in psychiatry (n = 138) in NSW, as well as all consultants w ho had completed their training in the last 5 years (n = 95). All subj ects were asked to rate the frequency and relative impact of 20 advers e experiences with the opportunity to proffer adversities not listed. They were also asked to rate their experience of their consultants in relation to the adversity. Results: The results from The Training Impa ct Study exploring adverse events experienced by NSW trainees are pres ented. Assault by a patient and suicide of a patient are identified as the most stressfull adversities of training in psychiatry. However, m ore general concerns such as educational and emotional neglect by supe rvisors, observing consultant maltreatment of patients, exam failure a nd conflict between consultants were also identified and discussed. Co nclusions: The high response rate of both trainees and consultants giv es these results a level of representative validity. Recommendations i n relation to future training and research are put forward. Specific t raining in the management of potentially assaultive patients and facil itating trainee recovery from assault or threat of assault should be a priority of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatr ists. Support and education in relation to patient suicide is also imp ortant. Training and recognition of teachers within the College should be encouraged.