Teaching qualifications for psychiatrists

Comments on an article by Dinniss et al. (see record 2007-04617-011). Medical students are generally aware of the medical responsibilities that await than on qualification, but perhaps are not as aware of the inherent teaching responsibilities that will form an integral part of their professional duties. Although I agree with the recommendation of Dinniss et al. that an MSc in Clinical Education is a worthwhile qualification for consultant psychiatrists, I would argue that junior trainees in psychiatry should also be strongly encouraged to enhance their clinical teaching skills, as some trainees deliver as much teaching to medical students as their consultant colleagues. The time constraints of combining an MSc with professional examinations could be avoided by undertaking a more manageable course such as the 1-year Higher Diploma in Clinical Teaching which is currently being offered by our Department of General Practice. This focuses on clinical teaching skills of explanation, effective questioning, delivering feedback, bedside teaching techniques student assessment and evaluation of teaching. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved)