A Competency Based Curriculum

for Specialist Training in Psychiatry

Specialist

RC~
Module in

PSYCH Adult

ROYAL COLLEGE OF
PSYCHIATRISTS
Psychiatry

Royal College of Psychiatrists

November 2006

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 Specialist in Adult Psychiatry

Contribute to the development and delivery of effective services for adults with mental health problems.

Work with others in the multidisciplinary team and others in the community to assess, investigate and manage

adults with mental health problems.

Diagnose and manage patients and general adult psychiatric patients with eating disorders.

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 INDEX

Summary of Major Competencies

Competencies for:

1. GOOD CLINICAL CARE

2. WORKING WITH COLLEAGUES

3. PROBITY

4. HEALTH

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 Major Competencies

1. GOOD CLINICAL CARE

A. PROVIDING A GOOD STANDARD OF PRACTICE AND CARE

MAJOR COMPETENCIES:

• UNDERTAKE CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

o consultation

Interpret and apply basic epidemiological and socio-demographic processes associated with the adult population (of working
age) in a multicultural society to the development and delivery of services for adults, their families and carers

Take into account the relationship between biological, physical, social, spiritual and psychological factors in service
development and delivery

Work within the resource limitations to provide best care possible

Demonstrate through appropriate personal and interdisciplinary action an awareness of the risks of physical and
psychological problems in the offspring of women with eating disorders

o patient examination

Undertake psychiatric formulations in community settings in a multicultural society

Assess, investigate and manage mental illness in various forms

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Take history from patients and other informants to reach a diagnosis and make an appropriate management plan

Assess mental state with cognitive and behavioural assessment

Diagnose and assess patients with eating disorders

o patient evaluation and record keeping

Assess and manage complex risks in community settings

Be competent in the assessment, diagnosis and management of adults of working age with a range of mental health
problems across different cultural groups

Identify and respond appropriately to the range of biological, psychological, social and spiritual mechanisms individuals use
to deal with mental illness

Diagnose and monitor nutritional and other physical consequences of eating disorders

Competently assess and manage risk in patients with eating disorders

• MANAGE CHRONIC ILLNESS

o assessment and management of patients with severe and enduring mental illness

Correctly manage acute and long term physical, psychological, family and social consequences of eating disorders

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B. DECISIONS ABOUT ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE

MAJOR COMPETENCY:

• USE THE RESULTS OF THE CLINICAL ASSESSMENT TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE PATIENT MANAGEMENT

o patient management including access to appropriate care

Appropriately use pharmacological and psychological interventions or a mixture appropriate to the needs of the patients and
their carers

Recognise the indications for and appropriately employ medication, nursing care, psychological therapies and family
approaches in the management of patients with eating disorders in inpatient and outpatient settings

Assess and correctly manage patients with complex needs (such as substance misuse, personality disorder, sever affective or
obsessive compulsive disorder, or psychosis) in addition to eating disorder

Appropriately manage men with eating disorders

o treatment (therapeutics)

Appropriately treat nutritional consequences of eating disorders, including enteral feeding techniques

Appropriately use compulsory treatment for patients with eating disorders

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Demonstrate, through appropriate care and management, a sound understanding of the special problems of pregnant
women with eating disorders

C. TREATMENT IN EMERGENCIES

MAJOR COMPETENCY:

• MANAGE EMERGENCIES

o assessment and management of psychiatric emergencies

Make emergency plans for the management of patients at risk

D. MAINTAINING GOOD MEDICAL PRACTICE

MAJOR COMPETENCY:

• MAINTAIN AND USE SYSTEMS TO UPDATE KNOWLEDGE AND ITS APPLICATION TO ANY ASPECT OF YOUR
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
o legislation concerning patient care; the rights of patients and their relatives and carers; and
research

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Provide brief psychological treatments, co-operate and understand implementation of mental health law, common law and
human rights

Take account of the complex ethical, religious and legal issues that playa role in the development and deliver of service

Assess risk in different settings and work within the law to develop appropriate intervention strategies

In clinical practise, take proper account of the legal and human rights implications of treatment plans, consent to treatment
and confidentiality

E. MAINTAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE

MAJOR COMPETENCY:

• MONITOR AND MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE

o Actively participate in a programme of clinical governance

Undertake audit to ascertain the effectiveness of interventions and service delivery

F. TEACHING AND TRAINING, APPRAISING AND ASSESSING

MAlOR COMPETENCIES:

• PLAN, DELIVER, AND EVALUATE TEACHING AND LEARNING IN A VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENTS

Teach undergraduates, postgraduates, other professionals and lay people

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G. CONDUCT PATIENT RELATIONSHIPS IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER

MAJOR COMPETENCY:

• CONDUCT PROFESSIONAL PATIENT RELATIONSHIPS

•
o Good communication

Recognise heterogeneity and diversity within society and take this into account by utilising appropriate communication skills

Establish and maintain working relationships with families and carers and take their needs into management planning

o Maintaining trust

Foster positive attitudes to help-seeking and mental illness, help to reduce stigma towards mental illness and act as advocate
for the needs of adults with mental illness in the health and social care systems

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 2. WORKING WITH COLLEAGUES

B. WORKING IN TEAMS

MAJOR COMPETENCIES:

• WORK EFFECTIVELY AS A MEMBER AND A LEADER OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS

o demonstrate an awareness of the roles and responsibilities of the multi-disciplinary teams

within the broader health and social care context

Contribute to work at the interface between adult psychiatry, other subspecialties of psychiatry, other branches of medicine,
and other service providers such as voluntary organisations etc.

Contribute to the multidisciplinary assessment of patients' needs community and hospital settings

Describe the roles and responsibilities of other disciplines and work with them to agree an integrated care plan for
management of mental illness

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C. LEADING TEAMS

MAJOR COMPETENCIES:

• DEMONSTRATE APPROPRIATE LEADERSHIP

o effectively, appropriately and constructively lead and manage as a member of a team of

healthcare professionals

Identify and effectively manage resources

F. SHARING INFORMATION WITH COLLEAGUES

MAJOR COMPETENCIES:

• COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Describe to junior colleagues and other healthcare professionals mental disorders that affect adults, their presentation and
impact on individuals, carers, families and society at large

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G. DELEGATION AND REFERRAL

MAJOR COMPETENCIES:

• ApPROPRIATELY ASSUME, DELEGATE AND DEVOLVE RESPONSIBILITY

Appropriately refer individuals to other specialities or discipline

Liaise with and make appropriate and timely referral to specialist services for eating disorder

• IDENTIFY PROCEDURES TO ACCESS ADVICE, ASSISTANCE AND SECOND OPINION

Develop and maintain effective relationships with primary care services leading to effective referral mechanisms and
educational systems

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 3. PROBITY

C. RESEARCH

MAJOR COMPETENCIES:

• ENSURE THAT CPD CONTAINS AN ELEMENT OF RESEARCH

o complete research projects and disseminate findings appropriately

Use research methods to enrich learning about aetiology and outcomes within adult psychiatry

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