Medical Students & Interns gain insight into career in psychiatry at Summer School

Last Friday Medical students and Interns from across the country were welcomed by the College to the Psychiatry Summer School, at the Maldron Hotel on Pearse Street, for an insight into the varied career opportunities that lie within the many psychiatric specialties and subspecialties – areas of interest which are often not covered in Undergraduate teaching.

Organised by the Trainee Committee of the College, for this eighth consecutive year, the CPsychI Student and Intern Psychiatry Summer School is aimed at those who are interested in a career in Psychiatry or who simply want to find out more about the work Psychiatrists do.

This one-day event presented Medical students within all years of study, as well as Interns, the opportunity to gain insights into the training pathway to psychiatry, the many roles that psychiatrists play as clinicians, researchers, multi-disciplinary team members and leaders in the mental health field, and a first hand look at local clinical sites where trainee and consultant psychiatrists work.

Attendees were welcomed first by Drs David Weir and Anna Feeney, Co-Chairs of the CPsychI Trainee Committee. Dr Caoimhe McLoughlin then detailed the training pathway to psychiatry, whilst Dr Sarah Casey discussed the many opportunities for research in the field. Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist and National Clinical Lead for Addictions Services, Dr Eamon Keenan, spoke about setting up Ireland’s first safe injecting facility, his work at the National Drug Treatment Centre, the rising issue of addiction to GHB (chemsex drug) and his involvement in the recent harm reduction #DoYouUseCocaine campaign. Following this Dr Lisa McLoughlin, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, detailed her work as a forensic psychiatrist, highlighting the human rights aspects of the work and the exciting research ongoing in this specialty.

Students were then split into groups to visit various local psychiatry facilities including the Central Mental Hospital, Linn Dara CAMHS inpatient unit, National Drug Treatment Centre, St Patrick’s University Hospital, and St James’s Hospital. Each site’s unique clinical and scientific aspects were explained and students met with consultant psychiatrists, psychiatry trainees, and multidisciplinary team members.

Upon return to the Maldron Dr Rachael Cullivan, Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist, addressed the students, followed by a lively Q&A session. Closing the day students heard from REFOCUS members Laura Louise Condell and Julie Healy on the affects psychiatry has had on their lives as someone with experience of using the mental health services and as a family member of someone with experience of the services. At the end of the day students were invited to a social reception of wine and finger food, giving them a chance to chat informally with Trainees/Consultants in Psychiatry and College staff.

Many of the students praised the day as helpful and insightful:

Had a great day at the @IrishPsychiatry Summer School today! Really inspirational to hear from consultants,trainees, and service users about the highs and lows of a career in psychiatry, and the impact you can have on someone’s life in this field. pic.twitter.com/cntuuwkiWp

— Patrick Williams (@patrickmacliam) August 24, 2018

“The Summer School was very well organised in all aspects – right from the selection of sites. The effort made to accommodate the site visit was great, it was the highlight of the day. All the lecturers were passionate and even the REFOCUS speakers were great.”

“The Summer School was so well structured and very informative, I learnt so much.”

“There was a positive, encouraging atmosphere at the Summer School. There were incredibly informative and engaging speakers who broadened my understanding of a career in psychiatry.”

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland is proud to continuously showcase the multifaceted and varied aspects of Psychiatry year on year, and we look forward to meeting more students at the Summer School next August.