Teaching Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology in Europe

Abstract

This study guide aims to make European trainees in forensic psychiatry and psychology and young forensic psychiatrists and psychologists aware of the differences and commonalities in forensic psychiatry and psychology in different countries within Europe and to enable them to learn from the approaches adopted in each country. The guide is divided into five main sections that address legal frameworks, service provision and frameworks, mandatory skills, teaching and training in forensic psychiatry and psychology, and capita selecta. In addition, recommendations are made with respect to the practice of teaching and training across European countries. It is anticipated that the guide will provide an excellent means of improving specific skills and that, by learning about the offender/patient pathways in the different jurisdictions of Europe, the reader will gain a deeper understanding of the principles that govern methods and practices in their own work with mentally disordered offenders. Part I: Legal frameworks: Adversarial versus inquisitorial legal systems -- National laws and their history -- Accountability in different European countries -- New developments in legal systems and their impact on forensic psychiatry -- The impact of the European Court of Human Rights and the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture on national forensic psychiatry -- Part II: Teaching and training: Teaching forensic psychiatry and psychology in Europe -- Specialist training in forensic psychiatry and psychology -- Impact of service organization on teaching and training -- Mapping offender-patient pathways -- Developing standards in forensic psychiatry and psychology -- Service provision by public health or justice -- Use of European professional associations -- Ethical issues. Part III: Specific skills: Challenging language barriers -- Multiagency working -- Different roles of forensic psychiatrists and psychologists: expert versus treatment? -- Teaching and training collaboration across European countries -- Recommendations to the practice of national teaching and training -- Part IV: Conclusion.