A core curriculum for child and adolescent psychiatry

Abstract

This paper suggests that it will be increasingly necessary to have a core curriculum for training in child and adolescent psychiatry. The reasons include the growth of knowledge, need for selection of information, the influence of evidence-based practice and accountability, and recognition of training across the European community. The principles for organising a curriculum are coherence, accessibility, and the context of professional development. Implementation of these principles is illustrated by the St Mary's training programme in London. Important components are the reading seminars in developmental psychopathology and the psychological treatments course. Implementing a core curriculum nationally and internationally would have difficulties, which could be overcome by a compromise of central control and local interests and initiatives.