[Continuing clinical education in adult psychiatry is not sufficient--a questionnaire study on training and...

In June 1990 the Section of Younger Psychiatrists affiliated to the Danish Psychiatric Society conducted a survey among junior doctors (JD) regarding clinical and theoretical training during attachments to psychiatric departments. The aim was to evaluate clinical and theoretical training and compare the results with the goals given by the Danish Psychiatric Society. Sixty-two percent (n = 362) answered a questionnaire including personal data, classification of the department, and participation in the organized training and supervision in the psychiatric departments. The introduction to the department at appointment was insufficient for 97% of the JDs. Fifty percent had been offered and 24% had participated in the advised number of clinical conferences. Sixty-nine percent had been offered and 13% had attended the theoretical conferences, while 43% respectively 41% had been offered and had attended the theoretical sessions. Two-thirds of the JDs participated in 50% or more of the organized training. Reasons for not attending were day-offs and pressing duties in the department. The results are discussed in relation to ongoing changes of the educational structure and of doctors appointments in the departments.