Trainees who have successfully completed their Foundation year in psychiatry attended a graduation event recently where they were congratulated on their achievement before they embark on the first year of BST (Basic Specialist Training) in Psychiatry.
The event comprised an address from the President of the College, Dr John Hillery, as well as from some College committee members such as the Trainee Committee and REFOCUS (Recovery Experience Forum of Carers and Users of the Services) to encourage their involvement with the College activity as they go further along their psychiatry career path. They were also presented with an overview of the specialties in psychiatry.
Encouraging the trainees to recollect their calling to medicine as a career Dr Hillery said,
“The life of a medical practitioner is often challenging and stressful but is balanced against the huge privileges that are part and parcel of a medical career.”
Psychiatry is no exception” he explained, “ as there is constant satisfaction, challenge, innovation and inquiry leading to new treatments and interventions that give hope to people with conditions that other generations thought were beyond amelioration. In parallel with the challenges and stresses will be the joys of being part of a collaboration with patients and carers and working with new ideas and innovations from Psychiatry especially as every year brings new insights into the causes of disabling psychological distress.”
Finalising his good wishes to trainees present he encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunities for learning and interaction with the human condition and to try to enjoy the privileges and responsibilities of being a trainee.
