Surviving psychiatry on-calls

Abstract

Introduction

Out of hours, there is only one on-site junior doctor. First year psychiatry trainees (CT1s) and GP trainees may have no prior experience in psychiatry. On-call shifts are therefore potentially daunting for new trainees.

Objectives

Expand the resources available for trainees when on-call.

Methods

We issued questionnaires to CT1s asking if they would have appreciated more information about on-call scenarios and in what format.

Based on the questionnaire results we implemented some changes. These were:

• – a printed “pocket-guide” summarising common on-call scenarios;

• – a training video on common on-call scenarios.

The handout was given to new trainees in February 2016 and in August 2016. The video was shown to new trainees in August 2016. Trainees provided feedback on the resources.

Results

Of 24 CT1s, 15 (63%) were “neutral” or “disagreed” that they had felt prepared for on-calls.

CT1s wanted additional resources, especially a paper handout or phone download.

Feedback on the “pocket-guide” from trainees in February 2016 (n = 8) was positive (62.5% reported increased confidence in on-call situations). Feedback is also being collected from trainees who received the guide in August 2016.

Trainees in August 2016 (n = 36) liked the video – no trainees “disagreed” with statements asking if the video had been useful.

The video improved the confidence of trainees about on-call situations by an average of 2.8 points.

Conclusions

We have expanded available resources relating to on-calls and improved confidence. Further improvements would include making resources more easily available in downloadable formats.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.