Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T15:06:33.779Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A survey of geriatric psychiatry training across Europe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2012

Sandeep Toot ,
Martin Orrell ,
Joanna Rymaszewska  and
Ralf Ihl
Sandeep Toot*
Affiliation:
Research and Development Department, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, Goodmayes Hospital, Goodmayes, Essex, UK
Martin Orrell
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
Joanna Rymaszewska
Affiliation:
Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
Ralf Ihl
Affiliation:
University of Düsseldorf, Alexian Hospital Krefeld, Krefeld, Germany
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Sandeep Toot, Research and Development Department, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, Goodmayes Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, Essex IG3 8XJ, UK. Phone: +44 (0) 844 600 1200 ext.4453; Fax: + 44 (0) 844 493 0289. Email: sandeep.toot@nelft.nhs.uk.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background: Training, practice, and continuing professional development in old age psychiatry varies across Europe. The aims of this study were to survey current practice and develop recommendations to begin a debate on harmonization.

Methods: A survey was sent out to 38 European countries via email. The survey was sent to members of the European Association of Geriatric Psychiatry (EAGP) Board, members of the World Psychiatric Association, and key old age psychiatrists or other psychiatrists with a special interest in the area for countries where old age psychiatry was not formally a specialty.

Results: Through a process of networking, we identified a key individual from each country in Europe to participate in this study, and 30 out of 38 (79%) representatives responded. Training programs and duration varied between countries. Eleven countries reported that they had geriatric psychiatry training programs and most of these required geriatric psychiatry trainees to complete mandatory training for two years within old age psychiatry. Representatives from ten countries reported having specific Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for old age psychiatrists at consultant level.

Conclusion: There is a clear indication that the recognition of geriatric psychiatry as a specialist discipline in Europe is on the rise. The training procedures and processes in place vary considerably between and sometimes within countries. There are several options for harmonizing old age psychiatry training across Europe with advantages to each. However, support is required from national old age psychiatry bodies across Europe and an agreement needs to be reached on a training strategy that encompasses supervision, development, and appraisal of the knowledge and skills sets of old age psychiatrists.

Keywords

geriatric psychiatrytrainingeducationstandardization
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 5 , May 2012 , pp. 803 - 808
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alliance for Health and the Future (2005). Facts and Figures. An Ageing Population: The European Facts and Figures. Available at: http://www.thematuremarket.com/SeniorStrategic/ageing_population_european_facts-6204-5.html; last accessed 1 August 2011.Google Scholar
Andrew, M. H. and Shea, C. (2010). Geriatric psychiatry education in Canada: the pathway to subspecialty recognition. International Psychogeriatrics, 22, 919–926.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Camus, V. et al. (2003). Teaching and training in old age psychiatry: a general survey of the World Psychiatric Association member societies. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18, 694–699.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gustafson, L. et al. (2003). Skill-based objectives for specialist training in old age psychiatry. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18, 686–693.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Margariti, M. M., Kontaxakis, V. P. and Christodoulou, G. N. (2002). Toward a European harmonization of psychiatric training. Academic Psychiatry, 26, 117–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
UEMS (2001). Annual Report, Section of Old Age Psychiatry, European Board of Psychiatry. Prague: Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes.Google Scholar
Unger, F. (2009). European lead market in health care: A report to the European Union. European Academy of Sciences and Arts.Google Scholar
Wancata, J., Musalek, M., Alexandronwicz, R. and Krautgartner, M. (2003). Number of dementia sufferers in Europe between the years 2000 and 2050. European Psychiatry, 18, 306–313.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wimo, A. and Jonsson, L. (2009). Cost of Illness and Burden of Dementia in Europe - Prognosis to 2030. Available at: http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/EN/Research/European-Collaboration-on-Dementia/Cost-of-dementia/Prognosis-to-2030; last accessed 2 August 2011.Google Scholar
WPA/WHO (1998). Education in Psychiatry of the Elderly: A Technical Consensus Statement. Geneva: World Health Organisation.Google Scholar