Abstract
Learning psychotherapy can be difficult and stressful. We explore core trainees' (n = 5) views on undertaking a psychodynamic psychotherapy training case using transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP), in an East London NHS Foundation Trust supervision group. We used framework analysis of focus group interviews to examine trainees' concerns, their views about this experience and its impact on general psychiatric practice. Trainees described various concerns on starting: providing an effective intervention, insufficient experience and training-related pressures. However, they found that TFP addressed some of them and was helpful for learning psychodynamic psychotherapy. Difficulties around the countertransference remained at end-point. Trainees suggested that introductory teaching and learning through observation might be worthwhile. Trainees' experience suggests that an evidence-based operationalised approach such as TFP can be integrated into the core psychiatry curriculum as a psychodynamic psychotherapy learning method. Trainees report benefits extending to other areas of their practice.
Highlights
The role of psychodynamics in medical education and psychiatric training curricula dates from the beginning of psychoanalysis.[13]
The aim is not for all trainees to progress to medical psychotherapy specialism, but for psychiatrists to be psychotherapeutically informed.[16]
The focus group interviews were facilitated by a clinical psychologist with no background in Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP)
Summary
The role of psychodynamics in medical education and psychiatric training curricula dates from the beginning of psychoanalysis.[13] Tensions between the medical model in psychiatry and the psychoanalytic paradigm remain.[14]. The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) places importance on psychotherapy learning in core and higher psychiatry training in the UK.[15] Core trainees need to meet psychotherapy-specific curriculum competencies: participation in Balint-type or case-based discussion groups and supervised psychotherapy experience. Completion of core training and examinations lead to RCPsych membership and eligibility for progression to higher specialty training. The aim is not for all trainees to progress to medical psychotherapy specialism, but for psychiatrists to be psychotherapeutically informed.[16]
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