Handbook for Psychiatric Trainees - Dinesh Bhugra & Oliver Howes, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2008, £15.00 pb, 332 pp. ISBN 978-1-90467-134-3

This book aims to provide an overview of every aspect of a trainee's journey through postgraduate training in psychiatry. The diverse and varied chapters cover many topics I wish I had been able to easily read about before my first day as a psychiatric trainee, such as managing difficult clinical situations, personal safety, managing violence and the roles of other mental health professionals.

Recent changes in psychiatric training are covered in the first chapter, which provides a good overview of the background to Modernising Medical Careers (MMC), the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) and the rationale for workplace-based assessments. The Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) fiasco and the Tooke report (2007) are also mentioned. Unfortunately, the rapid changes in postgraduate training which occurred lately precluded the detailed practical discussion in this book of issues important to trainees, such as workplace-based assessments and portfolios. However, the handbook's strength lies in its consideration of other topics which will be of enduring relevance and utility throughout the trainees’ careers.

For example, the chapter on how to get published is not only entertaining and informative, but also very useful for anyone trying to obtain a publication, including those with more modest ambitions than the research studies discussed. Less widely applicable but extremely useful for those considering working in the academia is the practical advice in the chapters on academic careers and higher degrees.

Many topics considered in this handbook, for example stress and time management, will be of use to psychiatrists at any stage in their career. Some chapters, such as those on clinical governance and the history of the National Health Service, will be particularly useful when preparing for consultant interviews. The discussion of lifelong learning and mentoring will be valuable reading for newly appointed consultants making transition from training.

To summarise, this handbook is an excellent source of information for psychiatric trainees as well as having a wider appeal. It has something to offer to medical students interested in a career in psychiatry right through their training to being a newly appointed psychiatric consultant. It should be on the bookshelf of every psychiatric trainee.