The developmental stages of psychiatry: The role of mental health simulation across the psychiatrist's career-span

Abstract

Introduction Mental health simulation refers to training that recreates real-life scenarios in safe environments using actors and technology, followed by structured debriefs, aiming to foster professional development and improve the quality of mental healthcare. Such training can overcome many challenges faced in training psychiatrists throughout their careers; from reduced patient contact in early careers due increased community-based care, to financial and time pressures of releasing senior psychiatrists (Brown et al., 2011). This presentation conceptualises a psychiatrist's career as 5 developmental stages; infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, late adulthood. Aims To demonstrate the considerable potential of mental health simulation training in meeting training needs of psychiatrists. Method Maudsley Simulation, London, has successfully developed and evaluated courses for psychiatrists at all stages of training. Courses have been positively received, with evaluations and outcomes highlighted in more detail. Results Stage 1 – infancy. Specifically-designed courses to give medical students experience of mental health care. Stage 2 – childhood. Series of courses delivered directly to focus on the key skills of core psychiatry trainees in working with mental health patients. Stage 3 – adolescence. Various courses developed to foster core skills in experienced psychiatry trainees across community and hospital settings. Stage 4 – adulthood. Courses tailored to specialist areas of psychiatry such as perinatal mental health, or systemic and family approaches. Stage 5 – late adulthood. Training focused on developing skills for specific scenarios for senior psychiatrists, such as the Coroner's Court or Mental Health Tribunal. Conclusion Mental health simulation training can meet the training needs of psychiatrists throughout their careers with positive outcomes.