[Physician time spent on training, supervision and research at the Roskilde county hospital Fjorden]

Postgraduate training for young doctors is an obligation for clinical departments. However there is a general impression that it has been difficult to acknowledge training as an activity in importance to patient treatment, and thus to give it the necessary priority. For a period of two weeks in 1994, all activities performed by doctors at a psychiatric hospital during working hours were registered. Special attention was given to activities concerning training and educational issues. These consisted of element such as theoretical courses, tutoring in daily clinical work and supervision of psychotherapy giving sessions. Furthermore it was registered whether the doctor had been receiving or giving the training. Junior registrars, senior registrars and consultants used 15, 13 and 5% of their time on training activities, however, during the period concerned the activities mainly consisted of attending external courses. Tutoring in the daily clinical work was non-existent. It is proposed that clinical positions that have training as a described part of their function should be secured.