Abstract
It is an expectation of the Royal College of Psychiatrists that its members should demonstrate a knowledge of the psychiatry of childhood and adolescence. Prospective members are examined on this and a clinical placement in child and adolescent psychiatry is a recognised specialty component of general training. That this is so reflects the fact that one quarter of the population is composed of individuals under the age of 18. This group has an appreciable psychological morbidity rate with patterns of psychological disability and suffering which differ appreciably from those encountered in general adult practice. A competent general psychiatrist should be familiar with the pattern of psychiatric pathology is childhood and be conversant with the services available for its treatment. For the health of the psychiatric profession as a whole, it is important that trainees have some working experience of child and adolescent psychiatry so that they may find whether this area of practice is attractive to them. Experience at registrar level provides an important recruitment opportunity for future senior registrars and thus consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry. Successful completion of general training in psychiatry with possession of membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists is effectively a universal prerequisite for entering the senior registrar grade and higher training in child and adolescent psychiatry.
Highlights
PETERHILL,Senior Lecturer, and DAVIDCOTTRELLL,ecturer, Child & Adolescent Section, Department of Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School, Tooting, London SW17. It is an expectation of the Royal College of Psychiatrists that its members should demonstrate a knowledge of the psychiatry of childhood and adolescence
Prospective members are examined on this and a clinical placement in child and adolescent psychiatry is a recognised specialty component of general training. That this is so reflects the fact that one quarter of the population is composed of indi viduals under the age of 18. This group has an appreciable psychological morbidity rate with patterns of psychological disability and suffering which differ appreciably from those encountered in general adult practice
For the health of the psychiatric profession as a whole, it is important that trainees have some working experience of child and adoles cent psychiatry so that they may find whether this area of practice is attractive to them
Summary
Operating within afamily context It is a byword of child and adolescent practice that family issues are central to formulation and treatment This would appear to be only too often a neglected area in adult psychi atric practice wherein close relatives may only be seen as possible sources of information about the patient or as somewhat peripheral accessories to psychiatric manage ment. Social management by environ mental manipulation is a valid treatment option in child and adolescent psychiatry For such reasons, a trainee working in a child and adoles cent psychiatric service will gain experience in taking a social perspective on individual psychopathology which would sensibly broaden his or her approach to adult patients in general psychiatry. A substantial amount of paediatric mor bidity derives from just such interplay and is frequently responsive to psychological interventions in a manner which provides a clear illustration of principles which can be applied to abnormalities of illness behaviour in adults
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
