Psychiatry as a career choice

The finding by Rajagopal et al (Psychiatric Bulletin, December 2004, 28, 444–446) that psychiatry was the least popular clinical specialty amongst medical students is unsurprising but is clearly an issue that needs addressing. The authors suggested that the Royal College of Psychiatrists should undertake a campaign similar to the College's ‘ Changing Minds’ initiative to destigmatise psychiatry in the eyes of medical students. I agree that it is important to try to change medical students’ attitudes to psychiatry but believe it can be achieved by improving their experiences during their placements.

This issue was explored by McParland et al (2003). They found that an improvement in students’ attitudes to psychiatry, following their placement, was predicted by factors such as receiving encouragement from consultants, seeing patients respond well to treatment and having direct involvement in patient care. This is consistent with my personal experience. Prior to my psychiatric attachment at medical school, I had many misconceptions about psychiatry and it was certainly not a career I was contemplating. However, during my placement I received excellent teaching and encouragement from my consultant and other members of the team. I was able to see patients improve and feel that I had a direct, if small, role to play in their care. This positive experience caused me to reassess my opinions about psychiatry and to decide it was a fascinating and challenging career choice.

It is clear that medical students’ attitudes to psychiatry are dependent on the actions of clinical teachers. An improvement in these attitudes will lead to more medical students considering a career in psychiatry. Therefore, it is my belief that more effective training to produce dynamic undergraduate clinical teachers will significantly improve recruitment to psychiatry.