Foundation for what? Commentary on... Current position of psychiatry in UK foundation schools

Abstract

Two years of foundation training were added to the medical students'transition from learning theory in medical school to trainee clinical practice, replacing one year of house jobs or internship. In the recent few years there has been a tremendous amount of debate about undergraduate medical training and changes in regulations which led to the Collins review in 2010. The review proposed that trainees need more exposure to community-based placements such as psychiatry, public health and community paediatrics and that they also need to learn to deal with chronic conditions. Bearing in mind that nearly a third of the general practitioner's patients will have psychiatric problems, it is essential that all doctors gain some exposure to psychiatric practice. It is crucial that this exposure is appropriate and adequate so that the next generation of doctors can provide accessible services that patients will be willing to use.