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Objective: In Australia and internationally, psychiatry has struggled to fill training places to keep up with demand for service. The objective of this study was to review the components of psychiatry terms and placements that determine a positive experience and potentially influence interest in vocational training in psychiatry.Method: A literature review and narrative synthesis was undertaken on 20 papers identified as meeting inclusion criteria.Results: The top themes contributing to positive experiences during the psychiatry term were: receiving high quality supervision; supported autonomy; and witnessing patient recovery. There was a paucity of Australian literature preventing investigation of the Australian context alone.Conclusions: There is a need to better understand how the junior doctor and medical student psychiatry experience influences perceptions of psychiatry and intention to specialise, especially in the Australian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems for young Australians, many do not have ready access to treatment or are reluctant to seek help. Until recently there was a tendency for young Australians to fall between the gap of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Adult Mental Health Services, and this has contributed to low rates of service use for young people. In 2006, the Australian Government sought to redress this gap in service delivery with its establishment of the Australian National Youth Mental Health Foundation, headspace. This paper presents demographic data collected at headspace Gosford over a 5.5-year period.Conclusions: The data presented indicates that headspace Gosford has been successful in improving early access to mental health treatment for young people on the Central Coast, in particular for young people aged 14-18. Headspace Gosford has attracted young people of both sexes, with a higher proportion of females. The majority of young people access headspace for mental health problems, predominantly depression and anxiety; however, a significant proportion report physical health or alcohol and drug-related reasons. The likelihood of these referral reasons is informed by gender and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is significant multidisciplinary work contributing to the implementation of trauma informed care (TIC) into mental health policy and practice in Australia. Within psychiatry, there may be potential confusion about how to navigate the integration of TIC into a speciality built upon treating psychological distress; creating dismissive reactions of a patronising approach and paradoxical radicalism. This paper aims to discuss the need for psychiatry to view TIC as a significant and urgent paradigm shift required to integrate existing knowledge about the prevalence and effects of trauma into a progressive articulation of the relational and interpersonal underpinnings of modern psychiatric practice; and to lead and support its widespread implementation.Conclusion: Active consideration of the intent of TIC may aid in reducing misunderstanding and misaligned resistance while allowing services and individuals an important opportunity to reflect on how to deliver mental health treatment that is universally sensitive to the dynamics of trauma in the care environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]