Training In Psychiatry

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30681, 22 February 1965, Page 14

Training In Psychiatry

(N.Z. Press Association) DUNEDIN, Feb. 21. A course of training for the specialist practice of psychiatry has been operated at the Otago Medical School and the Dunedin Hospital for more than a year, Professor W. Ironside, of the Department of psychological medicine, said tonight.

He was replying to a statement made in Dunedin on Friday by the chairman of the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists (Mr H. E. Cohen), that: “Students are now being trained at the Otago Medical School to recognise psychiatric disorders, but there is no attempt to turn out full fledged psychiatrists.” “When Mr Cohen made this statement he was not aware of the training in psychiatry which, for more than a year, has been taking place at the department of psychological medicine of the Medical School and the Dunedin Hospital,” Professor Ironside said.

“The aim of the training is to provide, over a three-year period, the basic knowledge and experience needed for the specialist practice of psychiatry. “This is the first time that such training has been attempted in New Zealand. “The University of Otago, the Otago Hospital Board and the Health Department have

supported this venture by establishing six training registrar appointments in the department of psychological medicine. “Part of the training is devoted to various kinds of psychotherapy, but, as other forms of psychiatric treatment are as valuable, training in them is also given,” he said.