Description
A psychiatrist is a qualified medical doctor who has obtained additional qualifications to become a specialist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness and emotional problems. They have both medical and psychiatric training and,as a result, psychiatrists are able to view illness in an integrated way by taking into consideration the related aspects of body and mind.
Psychiatrists are trained to recognise and treat the effects of emotional disturbances on the body as a whole, as well as the effects of physical conditions on the mind. This is important, as many emotional disturbances affect various parts of the body, and physical illnesses can certainly affect the mind. A psychiatrist’s medical and psychiatric training allows both the physical and emotional to be kept in perspective.
The Prince Charles Hospital has the reputation amongst registrars in Queensland as being the place to train and among specialists as the place to work!! This is a service with a highly stable medical, nursing and allied health workforce who pride themselves on providing compassionate flexible care to a diversity of clients. We are able to offer a variety of training experiences in general adult inpatient and community, older persons mental health, consultation-liaison psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, forensics, extended treatment settings, early psychosis and private hospital and primary care settings. Nearly all our specialist staff are full time with a small group of part timers, meaning that you are assured of readily available on the spot supervision and support when you need it. There is a strong emphasis on education within the service including journal club, mental health grand rounds, medical educations sessions and a psychotherapy interest group.
Entry requirements to Training Program
Prerequisites for applying to enter the Fellowship Program are:
Applicants are selected for psychiatry training based on their suitability, skills and experience.
Overview of Training Program
Psychiatry training is a postgraduate medical course for doctors. Trainees who successfully complete the program are eligible to become Fellows of the RANZCP (FRANZCP). This qualifies them to practise independently as consultant psychiatrists in Australia or New Zealand.
The Fellowship Program takes a minimum of 60 months full-time equivalent (FTE) to complete. During the training period, trainees work as registrars in hospitals and clinics, where they are supervised by experienced psychiatrists.
What rotations are recommended prior to applying for training
It is beneficial to have completed at least one mental health rotation prior to entering training.
How to improve your chances of selection
TPCH has current College accreditation for advanced training.
These questions will vary from Program to Program as thought to be most relevant. If you have any suggestions as to how the information on this site can be improved, please comment.
There is a significant undersupply of psychiatrists in Australia particularly in regional and rural areas and, at present, there are usually vacancies in the training programmes in each Australian state. However in the last couple of years, some states have reported that they have had an excess of applicants.
Medical Education Unit
Email: TPCH-Medical-Education@health.qld.gov.au
Phone: 3139 4221
Vocational Training Information:
Dr Gail Robinson, Clinical Director Mental Health TPCH
Reviewed: March 2018