The advanced training course in CL psychiatry of the Section of General Hospital Psychiatry of the Dutch Psychiatric Association: EACLPP paper

In the past year, the Dutch Psychiatric Association has undergone a reorganization, resulting in more autonomy for some of its sections, among which is the Section of General Hospital Psychiatry. This increased autonomy includes the possibility of establishing certification of ‘general hospital psychiatry’ (GHP; including CL psychiatry) as an ‘area of special expertise’ within the specialist training. The section is striving toward such certification because, at present, only a minority of psychiatric residents are in the position of being able to gather experience in GHP during their training. Certification would make the special expertise in GHP visible and could be used as a proof of expertise in job applications or similar purposes. Against this background, the section has started an advanced training course.

The course is aimed currently both at registered psychiatrists seeking advanced education in the field of GHP and at psychiatric residents in the last stage of their training who aim to work in the field of GHP. The dual goal of the course is to provide advanced education for psychiatrists and also to prepare for a future application for certification as an area of special expertise for which a training program is required. The section has been preparing such an application over the past few years by defining a curriculum (internal document) and by defining competencies for the CL psychiatrist, published earlier in this journal [1].

In October 2006 and February 2007, the first course took place. It is organized in two blocks of 2 days, each in a venue that is located centrally in the Netherlands. The number of participants was limited to 15 to 20 to provide optimal opportunity for discussion and a ‘meet the expert’ character. In this first course, there were 18 participants: 16 psychiatrists and 2 residents. However, the interest was so great that a second course is now planned. Each day, at least two nationally renowned experts in the field were tutors. They gave a lecture in the field of their expertise and chaired the discussion. They were encouraged to formulate a task on the basis of which the subject could be further explored or to produce ‘food for discussion’ in another way. Topics were selected on the basis of relevance and offered in such a way as to increase active thinking and discussion. On each topic, one or two key articles were provided beforehand as course literature. Topics included ‘organization and management of a CL service,’ ‘setting up a program to manage delirium in the hospital,’ ‘ways of collaborating with somatic medical specialists in the field of medically unexplained symptoms,’ and many other topics. Generally, the response and feedback of both participants and tutors were positive. Meeting with experts was highly valued, as was having time to discuss (organizational) problems with colleagues in the field. More time for informal meeting in the next round was requested. Participants especially appreciated practical issues like implementation of guidelines in the hospital. Based upon this first experience, the section and organizing committee have decided to offer the course every year or every 2 years, depending on the interest. Over the years, the curriculum may be adapted. If certification of GHP as a special area of expertise is achieved, the course may be differentiated in a course for resident training in GHP and advanced specialist training. Another possible option is the development of modules on specific topics that may be offered to somatic specialists or general practitioners.