Trajectory to fellowship: an analysis of the current pathway to becoming a psychiatrist

This study sought to examine the pathway and barriers to attaining The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists'(RANZCP) Fellowship for those undergoing the current training program, which was implemented in November 2003. This program involved a new training structure, with basic (years 1-3) and advanced (years 4-5) requirements. All formal assessments occur during Basic Training, while either generalist or sub-specialty streams are available during Advanced Training. We assessed 3 years' intake of trainees who had commenced with the current program and have reached the minimum time to attain RANZCP Fellowship.

Data were extracted from the College's database for all trainees who commenced training between December 2003 and February 2006; we analysed data on assessments, rotations, breaks in training, part-time status, and other items. The key elements evaluated were the time to complete mandatory training requirements and outcomes.

For those attaining RANZCP Fellowship within this cohort, the median Training time was consistent with the structure of the 5-year training program. It was clear that the RANZCP Fellowship Training Program is flexible, because 43% of the trainees studied undertook periods of part-time training and/or breaks in training, plus a range of sub-speciality programs were commenced in the Advanced Training.