Is psychiatric training still improving?

A postal questionnaire inquiring about postgraduate training was directed to all consultants appointed to a post in general psychiatry for the first time between 1 October 1985 and 30 September 1986. Compared with previous surveys there is, overall, more expressed satisfaction with training in psychogeriatrics, supervised ward consultations, individual psychotherapy, work in the community, and with medico-legal experience. Diminished satisfaction is expressed in training in child and adolescent psychiatry, epidemiology, psychology, and neurology. An improved system of monitoring by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Joint Committee for Higher Psychiatric Training is suggested in order to further improve training.