Education in psychiatry in Western Europe

Education in psychiatry and practice varies hugely across Europe. Historical events and cultural differences, different languages and concepts about mental suffering, and mental healthcare organization in European countries have all contributed to the actual status. After presenting the legal framework and the role of major stakeholders, this review discusses failing initiatives, possible obstacles, and solutions to come to a more harmonized training. This review then gives an overview of the actual status of psychiatric training before shortly presenting the Task Force on Education in European Psychiatry. Initiatives to train the trainers, the introductions of newer teaching modalities in postgraduate training, and the role of the European Psychiatric Association in continuous medical education precede the conclusion.