European Federation Of Psychiatric Trainees Research Articles

The EFPT-PSUD survey

IntroductionAlthough psychoactive substance use disorders (PSUD) belong to the domain of mental health, their management varies greatly among European countries. Furthermore, both the role of psychiatrists and trainees in the treatment of PSUD is not the same for each European country.AimsAmong the context of the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT), the PSUD Working Group has developed a survey that has been spread out between the 15th of august 2015 and 15th of October 2016, at the aim of gathering information about the training in PSUD in Europe, both from Child and Adolescent, and General Adult Psychiatric (CAP and GAP) trainees.ObjectivesThe survey investigated, at European level, the organisation of the PSUD training, trainees satisfaction, attitudes towards people who use psychoactive substances, management of pharmacologic and involvement in common clinical situations.MethodsA 70-items questionnaire regarding the aforementioned objectives was developed, and shared trough an online data-collecting system among European CAP and GAP trainees, with 40 trainees per country filling the survey in at least 25 countries. One national coordinator per country facilitated the delivering of the survey.ResultsA total of 1250 surveys were filled from more than 25 European countries.ConclusionsData from the survey will be promptly analysed.The survey will be the first to explore European psychiatric trainees attitudes and practices about PSUD. Findings from this independent survey may serve in understanding the needs of trainees in the field of substance misuse psychiatry.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Does Europe need foreign psychiatrists? Recruitment trend in Europe

IntroductionRecruitment in to psychiatry is a long-standing concern in many countries, with low proportions of medical graduates choosing it as a specialty and ongoing stigma from within the medical profession. In other countries, the reverse problem is the case, with too many doctors wishing to enter psychiatry and insufficient training places available.ObjectivesTo understand the current situation within Europe with regards to recruitment in to psychiatry and to identify existing initiatives designed to boost recruitment.MethodsThe European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees conducts an annual survey of all member organizations. This is purposive sampling via an online, semi-structured survey, which is completed by country representatives. The survey asks respondents to identify if their country has a problem with recruitment and if so whether there were too many or too few applicants for training places. Those countries identifying recruitment initiatives were asked to provide further details.ResultsData will be presented from the past three years (2014–2016). Around half of all countries have stated that recruitment is a concern in the EFPT country survey. Many report that the number of new psychiatrists is too low and vacancies are not being filled. A small number reported that the number of new psychiatrists is too high and there are not enough vacancies. Of those countries reporting problems with recruitment around half describe initiatives to improve recruitment, which include financial incentives, careers fairs, mentoring schemes and a whole host of other projects.ConclusionsRecruitment in to psychiatry remains a serious problem in many European countries, but there are a wide range of initiatives, which aim to combat this shortfall.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Psychiatric training in perinatal mental health across European countries

IntroductionThe aim of postgraduate psychiatric training is to prepare psychiatrists to practice independently. The quality of care provided will depend on the training they received. Pregnancy and childbirth (usually called the perinatal period) are a high-risk period for many women with psychiatric problems. An illness episode at that time can have a devastating effect on women and the whole family, including the child's development.ObjectivesTo understand how perinatal mental health training is organized within Europe and how it fits in the training curricula.MethodsThe European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees conducts an annual survey of all member country organizations. We have asked respondents if they received training in perinatal psychiatry, whether that was optional or mandatory and what was its duration. Where training in perinatal psychiatry was not available we asked if they felt it should be.ResultsData will be presented from the 35 countries that responded in the 2016 survey. Six countries reported that training in perinatal mental health is available. But it is mandatory in only one, with the others offering a mix of theoretical and practical optional training. Of the 29 countries that do not offer perinatal psychiatry training, the majority reported it should be offered and mandatory.ConclusionThere is a gap in the expectations of psychiatrists treating women in pregnancy and after birth, and a widespread lack of training for them to be able to do so effectively.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Psychiatric trainees’ experience of their training in perinatal mental health

IntroductionApproaching and offering treatment to a patient in perinatal period might be complicated. Often, it is regarded as one of the most difficult aspects in psychiatry. Given the increasing trends in the number of female patients of childbearing age consulting to psychiatric services, it has become an issue that specialists of today and tomorrow need to be well aware of.ObjectivesTo better understand the impact of perinatal mental health training on psychiatric trainees from different countries in Europe who receive such training.MethodsThe European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees conducts annual surveys, directing questions to national trainee representatives, to assess the situation of psychiatric training. EFPT representatives of the countries where perinatal mental health training was reported to be included in psychiatry and/or child and adolescent psychiatry training programmes, namely Germany, France, Malta, Finland and Ireland, were contacted. Qualitative interviews focusing on the confidence (or in confidence) trainees feel when a patient who is planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding consults to them and the impact of training in perinatal mental health on their attitudes as clinicians were explored.ResultsAlthough theoretical training in perinatal mental health is considered as an important aspect of psychiatry training in general, practical training or rotations are not found as essential. However, being able to benefit to more than one generation was perceived as a source of motivation.ConclusionsPerinatal mental health is appreciated as a critical part of theoretical education by trainees and in countries where a clinical rotation is available, it enhances making more use of resources and consultation possibilities.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Developing a postgraduate curriculum for European psychiatry

Summary Background: The internal market of the European Union allows medical professionals, like psychiatrists, to work in their country of choice. Although the medical qualification is recognized in other countries, considerable differences in education remain. Objective: This article gives an overview of the current state of psychiatric training in Europe, previous efforts to harmonize it and future directions for action. Results: Psychiatric training in Europe is highly diverse. There is no official body within the European Union (EU) that is responsible for training harmonization. Despite previous efforts to generate common European standards for post-graduate training in psychiatry, the implementation continues to be a major challenge. Conclusion: The European Psychiatric Association (EPA), the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), the World Health Organization (WHO) Europe and the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) have decided to revive previous work on harmonized post-graduate education and created the Task Force on Education in European Psychiatry (TFEEP) in order to reach a training and education consensus in Europe. The creation of an attractive and high quality framework which is based on the needs of modern psychiatric practice and sensitive to European traditions and values is the main aim to be pursued in future.

How EFPT trainee-led cross-national research can change training in psychiatry

Established in 2008, the Research Working Group of the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) creates a platform for trainee-led collaborative studies. Several large-scale transnational studies on training-related subjects have been initiated and carried out, driven by psychiatry trainees. Examples of recent and ongoing projects are the Brain Drain study, which investigated migratory experiences and attitudes among trainees in Europe, and the TEO-PC project, which aims to raise awareness on UEMS Psychiatric competencies as well as to compile data on trainees’ experiences and satisfaction with their national training programs.Earlier projects leading to publications have looked into drug prescription habits of trainees [1,2] and the interactions trainees with pharmaceutical industry [3]. Besides these projects, EFPT yearly gathers reports from the representatives of the national trainees associations on the structure, content and conditions of psychiatry training in all member countries. The information obtained through these channels is used actively to guide and influence policy related to psychiatry training, through collaboration with relevant organizations involved in the creation of guidelines, and through the EFPT statements, which serve to empower trainees themselves.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Should I stay or should I go? Mobility and migration among psychiatric trainees in Europe – EFPT Brain Drain Survey

IntroductionWorkforce migration of mental health professionals seems to have a significant impact on mental health services, both in the donor and host countries. Nevertheless, information on migration in junior doctors within Europe is very limited. Therefore, the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) has conducted the Brain Drain Survey.ObjectivesTo identify, in junior doctors training in psychiatry, the impact of international short-term mobility experiences, towards a future workforce migration across countries, exploring its patterns and reasons.MethodsIn this cross-sectional international study, data were collected from 2281 psychiatric trainees in 33 countries. All participants answered to the EFPT Brain Drain Survey reporting their attitudes and experiences on mobility and migration.ResultsOnly one-third of the trainees had a short-mobility experience in their lifetime, being education the main purpose for these experiences. Interestingly, the main predictors for future migratory tendency were not only the having a income and being dissatisfied with this income, but having a short-mobility experience. In fact, people that had short-mobility experiences were two times more likely to express a migratory tendency. Trainees that went abroad were predominantly satisfied with their experiences, reporting that these influenced their attitudes towards migration, positively.ConclusionsThese findings show that short-term mobility has a positive impact into future long-term migration, increasing its probability.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The European trainees’ perspective on psychiatric postgraduate education: An EFPT survey

IntroductionDespite efforts to unify psychiatric education among European member countries, there are still considerable variations between national training programmes. To ensure equivalence of training standards the current tendency of recommended guidelines and reports is steering psychiatric training towards becoming more competency focused.ObjectivesThe research group of the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) conducted a multi-national study on postgraduate psychiatry training. The aims are to assess the psychiatric trainees’ experiences and opinions on their national training and assessment methods in respect to the Union européenne des médecins spécialistes (UEMS) 2009 competencies framework.MethodsThis study surveyed 745 psychiatric trainees from 10 EFPT member countries using a questionnaire designed specifically for assessing this issue.ResultsIn this sample, the majority are aware of having a competency based training programme but 86.5% are poorly acquainted with the UEMS competencies framework. All key competencies were rated as being important but not all as being relevant in the assessment process. One's level of preparedness and the degree of education one's receives during their training differs from one competency to another. Trainees who aren’t satisfied with their national training would be in favour of taking an end of training Pan-European exam which differs from the one's that are satisfied and wouldn’t be interested in undergoing this assessment method.ConclusionsThis sample isn’t fully acquainted with the competency-based concept for postgraduate training. The ones satisfied with their postgraduate psychiatric education seem to be less inclined to take an end of training Pan European exam.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The psychiatry recruitment crisis across Europe: Evaluation by the European Federation of psychiatric trainees

IntroductionRecruitment of medical students and junior doctors in to psychiatry is a long-standing concern in many countries, with low proportions of medical graduates choosing it as a specialty and ongoing stigma from within the medical profession. In some countries the reverse problem is the case, with too many doctors wishing to enter psychiatry, and insufficient training places available.ObjectivesTo understand the current situation within Europe with regards to recruitment in to psychiatry and to identify existing recruitment initiatives.MethodsThe European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees conducts an annual survey of all member organisations. A delegate of each national association of psychiatric trainees is asked to identify if their country has a problem with recruitment and if so, whether there were too many or too few applicants for training places. Delegates from countries with recruitment initiatives were contacted to provide further details.ResultsIn 2014, a total of 31 countries completed the survey, with 17 stating that too few medical practitioners choose psychiatry. In total 8 countries with recruitment problems reported that initiatives exist to encourage doctors to enter psychiatric training. Of these, 7 responded to describe the initiatives, which included national recruitment strategies, financial incentives, careers fairs, mentoring schemes and a whole host of other projects.ConclusionsRecruitment in to psychiatry remains a serious problem in a significant proportion of European countries, but a wide range of initiatives exist which aim to combat this shortfall. It will be important over the coming years to establish which initiatives are most effective at increasing recruitment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Youth leadership in mental health: Views from EFPT and IFMSA

The world today is more challenging than ever before. Discrimination, stigma, and ever-changing lifestyles are just a few examples of elements that have a profound impact on the mental health status of our global population. Even though the burden of mental illness is well documented and increasing, mental health remains a neglected area of health worldwide.Youth Associations, like the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) and the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) recognize the importance of tackling this problem, taking an active role on promoting education in our communities, tackling stigma and advocating for more action. Medical students worldwide, from Slovenia, Australia, Lebanon, Brazil, Quebec and Grenada – among at least 42 other countries, organise expansive, creative and engaging mental health projects.With particular interest we can mention the winner of the last Rex Crossley Award, attributed to a Slovenian project ‘in Reflection’: a suicide prevention project, which tackles the different factors associated with vulnerable groups through a series of workshops and campaigns that seek to destigmatize the mental health problems and offer the opportunity to high school students to get the help they need.This talk will give an insight into strengths, weaknesses and challenges faced by youth in tackling mental health, specially in the role of the IFMSA, displaying some of our most interesting and innovative projects from future mental health leaders around the world, together with the initiatives of EFPT.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Brain Drain Project

Despite the ongoing reality of workforce migration, information on medical migration is missing, with lack of detailed evidence of transnational migrations within Europe, obscuring the extent of how migration occurs amongst the different medical specialties.The European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) has been pioneer in researching workforce migration in junior doctors, conducting the EFPT Brain Drain study, which explored the reasons and patterns of mobility and migration in 33 European countries among junior doctors training in psychiatry.The intention has been to better understand the migration phenomena, its reasoning and effects in order to give practical proposals to improve education, training and work conditions and ultimately the health care itself in both donor and host countries.Migration among medical professionals can take place throughout the career: before, during or after training. Exploring attitudes towards migration among junior doctors can help to understand the factors that shape the decision-making processes related to migration in future specialists.These findings provide objective data that can assist policy makers, providing instruments to address the critical conditions leading to migration from at-risk countries, adjusting the pull factors and improving the standards of education, work and salaries.Future studies should explore whether the presented results differ for junior doctors in other medical disciplines, as well as physicians in general and psychiatric consultants in Europe and in other areas of the world. Furthermore, the follow up of the respondents from this study could assess to what extent the migratory tendency and intention predicts the future migration itself.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

A new psychiatric society is born: Spanish Society of Psychiatry Residents (SERP)

IntroductionThe European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) is an independent Federation of Psychiatric Trainees and represents the consensus of psychiatric trainee's organizations across European countries and advocates for what training should look like, regardless of the country. Spain was one of the last countries to be part of the Association. Finally, and after months of hard work and networking, on September 2015 the Spanish Society of Psychiatry Trainees(SERP), was founded and Spain became a observer member of the EFPT.ObjectivesOne of the main goals of the SERP, is creating a program of clerkships, in both directions, from other trainees to come to Spain, and for Spanish Trainees to go abroad.MethodsOur idea in this poster is to explain a first look of which Hospitals/Units would be appropriate to make a rotation, and to explain the first steps in order to create a database with information about the nightshifts, possible accommodation and other aspects related to the organization. We want to use this poster to present to Europe our new Association.ResultsOn September 25 at the National Congress of Psychiatry in Santiago de Compostela, a Group of Spanish trainees founded the SERP, organized the first Board and signed the Founding Amendments.ConclusionsAfter two previous failed attempts, finally on 25th September 201; the Spanish Society of Psychiatry Residents (SERP) was founded, an important part of the activity of this company is promoting exchanges between residents of member countries in Spain.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Psychiatric trainees’ view on a European curriculum of psychiatry

The European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) represents the consensus of psychiatry trainees associations across more than 30 European countries, advocating for the improvement and harmonization of psychiatry training across Europe. This federation has as priority to get direct feedback from psychiatry trainees, analyzing the concerns related to psychiatry and training in Europe, collaborating with other national and international partners to translate trainees’ views into action, while offering trainees several opportunities.Surveys of psychiatry trainees show that the main concerns around Europe revolve around differences of duration of training in the different countries, the discrepancies between the European training standards, the national programmes and the real experience of trainees. Likewise, levels of recruitment into psychiatry and inadequate working conditions also concern trainees, especially at the current times of economic challenge, where the choice to migrate abroad is quite frequent. Nevertheless, the involvement of psychiatry trainees in the development of national programmes and in the quality assurance of training varies significantly around Europe.This presentation will highlight the current differences observed in the structure, content and duration of psychiatry training programs in Europe, reporting trainees’ views on a European curriculum of psychiatry, and exploring mechanisms to evaluate and harmonize the postgraduate training in Europe.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.

Portuguese junior doctors exchanging in the UK – Reflections from the experience

IntroductionThe interest in experiencing training abroad has grown and its benefits have been progressively recognized. For these reasons, several psychiatric trainees seek to extend their competencies, skills and knowledge through these exchange opportunities, such as the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) Exchange Programme.ObjectivesWith this work we intend to describe these international experiences of being acquainted with a different health system and psychiatry training programme.AimsReflect on the impact of these experiences, considering on how these can be used to benefit the patient care provided across countries, further to the professional and personal individual benefits that colleagues gain.MethodsPresenting the testimonials of junior doctors from abroad that have had the opportunity to observe and collaborate in the current system of the United Kingdom.ResultsThe EFPT Exchange Programme is an excellent opportunity for psychiatry trainees to share experiences, knowledge and good practices. The cultural and social framework of psychiatry certainly has an impact on the approach to mental health problems, and being knowledgeable of these differences can provide benefits not only to the junior doctors who complete these exchanges abroad, but also to their colleagues working at their hosting institutions that become acquainted with different realities through their presence and feedback.ConclusionsThe benefits of these exchange mobility experiences are unequivocal. Therefore, it is fundamental to share these experiences and promote these opportunities.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Psychiatry trainees in Turkey considers leaving the country

IntroductionThe brain drain of mental health professionals is an important issue especially for developing countries with inadequate recruitment rates. The European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) investigated the extent of migration among trainees across Europe by Brain Drain research project. Results from a non-EU country, with the lowest number of mental health professionals per 100 000 population across OECD countries might provide important clues.ObjectiveTo identify attitudes towards and behaviors towards international migration among psychiatry trainees from Turkey.MethodAn online survey was conducted among psychiatry trainees from Turkey in 2013, as part of the EFPT Brain Drain Research Project.ResultsOf 107 trainees surveyed, 74% considered living abroad. However, the rate of having even short mobility experience was just 13%, and these were mainly educational visits. More than half of those who visited a foreign country reported to have a satisfactory experience, which might explain the positive influence of these visits on attitudes towards migration. Responders perceived academic conditions as the most important aspect of training that needs to be improved, in line with the fact that inadequate training programs were important reasons for migrating.ConclusionOverall, psychiatry trainees in Turkey tend to remain in their country of origin, which may protect healthcare system against the detriment of workforce loss. The relatively low rate of migration may also reflect the legislative barriers (e.g. being o non-EU country) impeding migrating. Our findings also suggest that the unmet educational needs of trainees require immediate attention.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Equal access for all? Access to medical information for European psychiatric trainees

Access to medical information is important as lifelong scientific learning is in close relation with a better career satisfaction in psychiatry. This survey aimed to investigate how medical information sources are being used among members of the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees. Eighty-three psychiatric trainees completed our questionnaire. A significant variation was found, and information availability levels were associated with training duration and average income. The most available sources were books and websites, but the most preferred ones were scientific journals. Our findings suggest that further steps should be taken to provide an equal access to medical information across Europe.

The Perspective of Trainees On the Psychiatry Training

The European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) represents the consensus of psychiatric trainees across more than 30 European countries, advocating for the improvement of the psychiatry training regardless of the country. The current challenges in the psychiatry training that trainees face at the European level will be presented; discussing the attitudes and opinions of the psychiatric trainees in the light of EFPT studies. Recently, the EFPT has developed a cross-sectional multicentre study, collecting data from trainees across 33 European countries, inquiring them on the conditions to be improved in their country regarding Psychiatry, such as: academic (training or educational opportunities), professional network (team work, cooperation), work (employment, conditions, workload) and financial (salaries); having been reported their attitudes and experiences of mobility and migration. Indeed the EFPT supports trainees going across borders through the EFPT Exchange Program. Moreover, being highly skilled brain migration a current trend, the EFPT has as well investigated deeply this topic. Likewise, the EFPT aims to research the aspects of postgraduate training in European countries in collaboration with Union Europeenne des Medecins Specialistes (UEMS) in an effort to find solutions to the lack of training standards. This future approach is expected to facilitate the harmonization of psychiatric training in Europe, so important nowadays, especially given the increase of mobility opportunities and marked migration trends of professionals across countries. Enhancing and harmonizing the training can afterwards take an effect towards improving the similarities of the mental healthcare internationally.

Evaluation of the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees' Forum 2014

Introduction The European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) brings together trainee organisations from across Europe. Founded in 1993, the Federation now has over thirty member nations. The EFPT conducts transnational research, orchestrates an exchange programme, promotes recruitment and helps establish new national trainee organisations. Aim To deliver a Europe-wide forum for psychiatric trainee organisations to collaborate effectively. Objectives 1) Evaluate 2014 Forum 2) Identify ways to improve Method The fulcrum of the EFPT's activities is the annual Forum, which brings together representatives of member organisations for five days of work, fun and intercultural learning. In 2014 the Forum took place in London. A local organising committee was established to develop the programme. Funding was obtained from various sources, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Maudsley Charity. The programme included site visits, by country reports, working group sessions and finally the Annual General Meeting. A survey was sent to all delegates to evaluate the Forum. Results 85% of delegates who responded rated the Forum very good or excellent. 70% said that the inspiration to improve training in their own countries was very good or excellent. Free-form responses identified friendly interactions with colleagues from different countries, international networking and the scientific content as highlights. Suggested improvements included writing up country reports and providing a toolkit to prepare potential delegates. Discussion and Conclusions The EFPT provides a mechanism for communication between national trainee organisations. Trainees highly value the opportunity afforded by the annual Forum to network with colleagues in an inspiring atmosphere of mutual collaboration.

Brain Drain or Gain? Psychiatric Trainees On the Move

Introduction Migration of mental health professionals is an important phenomenon influencing mental health services of host and donor countries. Data on medical migration in Europe is very limited, particularly in the field of young doctors and psychiatry. To research this hot topic, the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) conducted the EFPT Brain Drain Survey. Objectives To identify the impact of previous short-term mobility on international migration and to understand characteristics, patterns and reasons of migration. Methods In this cross-sectional European multicentre study, data were collected from 2281 psychiatric trainees across 33 countries. All participants answered to the EFPT Brain Drain Survey reporting their attitudes and experiences on migration. Results Two-thirds of the trainees had not had a short-mobility experience in their lifetime, but those that went abroad were satisfied with their experiences, reporting that these influenced their attitude towards migration positively. However, the majority of the trainees had not had a migratory experience of more than 1 year. Flows showed that Switzerland and United Kingdom have the greatest number of immigrant trainees, whereas Germany and Greece have the greatest number of trainees leaving. ‘'Pull factors'’ were mostly academic and personal reasons, whereas ‘'push factors'’ were mainly: academic and financial reasons. Trainees that wanted to leave the country were significantly more dissatisfied with their income. Conclusions The majority of the trainees has considered leaving the country they currently lived in, but a lower percentage has taken steps towards migration.

European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) Exchange Programme. Three Years of Promoting Mobility in Psychiatric Training.

Introduction Education is growing to a European level with the development of student exchanges. The EFPT Exchange Programme is the first psychiatric exchange programme to be developed in Europe. It was launched in 2011 by the EFPT Exchange Programme Working Group. Objectives To provide European psychiatric trainees with the possibility of intercultural professional experience with a simplified exchange procedure. Aims To promote acquaintance of different health systems and psychiatric practices as well as cooperation among trainees, with a focus on individual experience. Methodes The programme is run by trainees, for trainees, and provides observatory internships of 2-6 weeks in psychiatric units accredited for education. We collected systematic online feedback on participant satisfaction, as well as data on countries of residence, countries of exchange and number of applicants per phase. Results Since 2011, the program has extended to 11 countries and offers 50 placements in diverse clinical psychiatry units accredited for education. Six phases of exchange have been conducted, with a total of 85 exchanges. We observed an average of 34 applications per phase with 70% of applicants originating from: Turkey, UK, Portugal, Ireland, Romania, France, Croatia. 46% of applicants were accepted for exchange. The large number of trainees underlines the richness of professional exchange and the positive effect on personal development. Conclusions The succes of this programme among trainees should encourage the promotion of mobility in psychiatric training.