[Child psychiatric learning goals for general psychiatric training: a Delphi study]

The new Dutch training plan for psychiatrists puts more emphasis on life course psychiatry. Subsequently, adjustments in the educational program regarding child and adolescent psychiatric knowledge, skills and attitudes are needed.

A broadly supported agreement and consensus on Dutch national learning objectives of education in child and adolescent psychiatry.

With a modified Delphi method, a set of preliminary learning objectives formulated by a working group of experts was presented to trainees (n = 9), adult psychiatrists (n = 12), child and adolescent psychiatrists (n = 17) and adult patients and their relatives (n = 15). In two rounds, the learning objectives were commented on, supplemented, scored for relevance and prioritized.

Out of 27 original learning objectives, 20 were assessed as important or necessary by over 80% of the respondents (knowledge 7/9, skills 8/10, attitudes 5/8). Two learning objectives were rejected (less than 60% considered these to be important or necessary). Seven learning objectives were re-assessed in a second round as these were modified (5) or added (2). Four of them were rated as important or necessary by over 80% of participants. The following goals were most often prioritized: knowledge about healthy development and intergenerational issues; ability to make contact with children and families and to integrate protective and risk factors of the child and environment; and knowing one’s own limitations of child psychiatric themes.

A Delphi study helped gain support from stakeholders for adjustments in training and education by creating consensus about child psychiatric learning goals for general psychiatric training.