Registrars with research – the right stuff, or the wrong stuff?

Joanna Bowen,Stuart Cox

doi:10.1192/pb.17.9.540

Abstract

A leading article in the British Medical Journal (Miller, 1992) comprehensively criticised the Joint Planning Advisory Committee (JPAC) for failing to implement the changes in manning levels needed for Achieving a Balance. This leader came as no surprise to psychiatric trainees, and nor did it offer much comfort. The ‘bottleneck’ between registrar and senior registrar has become a ‘log-jam’ and although prospects for trainee psychiatrists are not as bleak as for the unfortunate would-be thoracic physicians cited in the leader, they are bad enough. For example, when a single SR post in adult psychiatry was recently advertised for the NW Thames region, there were over 60 enquiries, 45 of which transformed into definite applications, even though the post offered was in a less than popular sub-speciality. Local selection committee members for NW Thames in other psychiatric specialities have also been surprised by the number of applicants. JPAC may not be entirely to blame: the economic recession may be a disincentive for consultants wishing to retire early, thus slowing-up career progression throughout the profession.

Highlights

JOANNABOWENS, enior Registrar, St Mary Abbotts Hospital, London W8; and STUARTCox, Psychiatric Registrar, 30 New End Square, London NW3
A leading article in the British Medical Journal (Miller, 1992) comprehensively criticised the Joint Planning Advisory Committee (JPAC) for failing to implement the changes in manning levels needed for Achieving a Balance
When a single SR post in adult psychiatry was recently advertised for the NW Thames region, there were over 60 enquiries, 45 of which transformed into definite applications, even though the post offered was in a less than popular sub-speciality

Summary

Introduction

JOANNABOWENS, enior Registrar, St Mary Abbotts Hospital, London W8; and STUARTCox, Psychiatric Registrar, 30 New End Square, London NW3. Local selection committee members for NW Thames in other psychiatric specialities have been sur prised by the number of applicants. If the findings of Lewis ( 1991) and Katona & Robertson (1993) are applicable everywhere, the only variable, so far examined, which predicts being short-listed for an SR post is being able to cite one (or more) publication on your CV, and preferably a publication with original data.

Results

Conclusion