Exploitation or experiential learning?

Dr Sundeep comments that psychiatric trainees having to perform ‘ inappropriate duties’ and considers this exploitation (Psychiatric Bulletin, February 2006, 30, 75). I agree that good training is crucial for producing the consultants of tomorrow but think that we must not lose sight of how we learn. Workplace experiential learning gives a broader understanding of how the hospital and its systems work. Consultants have expanding roles beyond the more traditional clinical ones and early exposure to finding patients beds, for example, can enhance understanding of bed management and allocation of resources, giving the trainee a more-rounded education. I feel that these ‘inappropriate duties’ can actually be beneficial if they do not become routine and are balanced with appropriate clinical duties and study time.

On a more cautionary note, with the probable increase in the number of medical care practitioners, trainees need to be careful about what they will or will not do, or trusts might find a cheaper and more flexible alternative to senior house officers.