Why Psychiatry Training is not that desirable among Australian Doctors?

[Mrs Tiger]

HI,

I am wondering if there is a particular reason for the fact that getting into Psychiatry Training is not that desirable among Australian doctors.

Any ideas?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Mrs Tiger]

Any clues?

 

[Raygun77]

The obvious factor is remuneration. Although all doctors in the public system get paid similarly (whether you are a surgeon or psychiatrist you will be classed as a "staff specialist" and get roughly 200k for a 40 hour work week including one "academic" day), not factoring in that some docs (surgeons, cards, etc) would put significantly more overtime in and thus make somewhat more, in the private system that goes out the window. Proceduralists have a far, far higher earning potential- many ortho surgeons make 1mill+ salaries.

 

[Mrs Tiger]

The obvious factor is remuneration. Although all doctors in the public system get paid similarly (whether you are a surgeon or psychiatrist you will be classed as a "staff specialist" and get roughly 200k for a 40 hour work week including one "academic" day), not factoring in that some docs (surgeons, cards, etc) would put significantly more overtime in and thus make somewhat more, in the private system that goes out the window. Proceduralists have a far, far higher earning potential- many ortho surgeons make 1mill+ salaries.

Thank you for your reply.

 

[redshifteffect]

Actually psychiatry as a staffie has plenty of overtime. Especially since people coming in through ED are scheduled and then dumped on the psychiatrist that's on afterhours....plus as a VMO or Locum there are plenty of jobs where they will pay for you to fly out to rural areas and work for 1-2 days a week at a very generous salary....these jobs are a lot more numerous then other fields.

The reason I believe it's not desireable is:
1. Lack of respect from colleagues and poor exposure as a medical student. A lot of other fields dismiss psychiatry, and you don't really get involved with it much as a medical student
2. Very tough to pass exams compared to other specialty jobs
3. Very high likelyhood of being assaulted or threatened by a patient at some time during your career.

 

[Raygun77]

Actually psychiatry as a staffie has plenty of overtime. Especially since people coming in through ED are scheduled and then dumped on the psychiatrist that's on afterhours....plus as a VMO or Locum there are plenty of jobs where they will pay for you to fly out to rural areas and work for 1-2 days a week at a very generous salary....these jobs are a lot more numerous then other fields.

The reason I believe it's not desireable is:
1. Lack of respect from colleagues and poor exposure as a medical student. A lot of other fields dismiss psychiatry, and you don't really get involved with it much as a medical student
2. Very tough to pass exams compared to other specialty jobs
3. Very high likelyhood of being assaulted or threatened by a patient at some time during your career.

Thanks redshifteffect, and in terms of your list:

I would have to disagree with getting poor exposure- at my (australian) medical school we have 5 weeks dedicated psychiatry (in a semester comprising psych, rehab, rural health and aged care). I've yet to do that semester but I'm told there is quite a bit of exposure, definitely more than many other esoteric fields, e.g. rad onc, specialised surgery and even pathology.

Definitely agree with the lack of respect mentioned, as well as the perception that a career in psych would mean a lot of 'futile learning' (i.e. not utilising many of the skills and knowledge learnt through med school).

Very tough exams? First ive heard of that. The basic and advanced physician exams are often hyped up, though.