Mental Health Training

This two year full-time course is open only to Psychiatry and Paediatric Registrars or suitably qualified Psychiatrists. It comprises supervised clinical work, weekly seminar program, and supervision of child, adolescent, parent and family therapy.  Training is conducted on Tuesdays. Clinical experience is gained from placements at one of the metropolitan or regional child and adolescent mental health services. Also, there is some possibility of training in private child and adolescent mental health facilities.

Aim of the Course

The aim of the Mindful Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Course is:

1. Competent clinical practice in infant, child and adolescent psychiatry
2. Continuing learning in infant, child and adolescent psychiatry
3. Competence in research in infant, child and adolescent psychiatry
4. Competence in administration in infant, child and adolescent psychiatry
5. Skills in advocacy on behalf of children
6. Ability to undertake informed leadership and promotion of mental health in children

Objectives are implemented using an Adult Education and Learning model appropriate to the postgraduate status of registrars.

Selection Criteria

1. Psychiatry Registrars who have completed the RANZCP requirements for basic training.
2. Psychiatrists who have completed the RANZCP training or overseas equivalent and who wish to pursue further sub-specialty training.
3. Paediatric Registrars who have completed RACP basic training or paediatricians who wish to undertake at least 12 months training in child and adolescent mental health.

Curriculum

Training in child and adolescent psychiatry follows an apprenticeship model with extensive, well supervised clinical and research experience as its foundation. Because child and adolescent psychiatrists work in complex environments with multiple patients, they require a broad appreciation of developmental, biological, psychological and socio-cultural issues affecting infants, children, adolescents and families

Thorough knowledge and careful use of the principles of evidence-based practice and outcome evaluation must be accompanied by a humane and ethical approach to the children, adolescents and families seeking care. Emphasis is given to research driven data and methods of practice, and registrars are encouraged to reflect on the culture of child psychiatry and to examine historical continuities and discontinuities with the present understanding of child psychiatry.

Seminars

Semester 1

• Trauma
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Depression in Childhood
• Enuresis & Encopresis
• Development in the Toddler
• Play Therapy
• Neuropsychological Assessment
• Attachment Disorders
• Intellectual Disability & Psychopathology in Childhood
• Autistic Disorders

Semester 2

• Evidence Based Practice
• Anxiety and School Refusal
• Speech and Language Disorders
• Biological Aspects of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Supervision

• General - 1 hour per week of the general management of cases, at clinical service.
• Family/Group - Weekly or fortnightly at clinical service
• Individual therapy - 1 hour per week at Mindful
• Parent therapy - 1 hour per week in the 1st year of training at Mindful
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - 1 hour per week at Mindful
• Infant Observation Group (Elective) - 1½ hours per week in the 2nd year of training at Mindful
• All supervisors are experienced child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychotherapists

Assessment and Accreditation

Evaluation of registrars is conducted by:

1. Submission of registrars’ training logbook and training experiences to satisfy  RANZCP requirements
2. Reports from Supervisors and Directors of Service

Areas of particular importance in assessment include:

1. Clinical competence
2. Development of clinical assessment, treatment planning and treatment skills
3. Evidence of broad reading around seminars and the acquisition of a broad knowledge base
4. 80% attendance at seminars
5. Attendance at RANZCP and other professional meetings
6. Contributions of teaching sessions
7. Research undertaken

RANZCP SATCAP Accreditation and Review of the Course

The CAPC is regularly reviewed and accredited by the Subcommittee for Advanced Training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (SATCAP), a subcommittee of the Fellowships Board of the FRANZCP.  SATCAP have established guidelines for training in child and adolescent psychiatry as well as a curriculum.

A Certificate of Satisfactory Completion in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is awarded by the RANZCP when registrars have completed the equivalent of 24 months of accredited training and submitted a personal assessment of his/her child and adolescent psychiatry training experience.

To express your interest in the CAPC and contact a Mindful supervisor please email [email protected]