Photo: 123RF
A consultant psychiatrist who has coached hundreds of psychiatry trainees, says recent exam results from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists are some of the worst she's seen, but the tests are to blame - not the students.
The exams are a crucial part of a psychiatrists' pathway to become a Fellow of the College, which allows them to practise independently and function within the Mental Health Act. Trainees are able to sit the two exams once every six months at a cost of $1300 each time. The most recent pass rates were 61 percent and 56 percent.
Helen Schultz is a consultant psychiatrist and has been involved in exam coaching since 2007. She says the latest results speak more to the flaws with the exam process, and not to the ability and competency of the workforce.
Dr Schultz says the low pass rates are causing unnecessary stress and cost for trainees, and she's concerned about what the fail rate means for the workforce and the ever-increasing demand on mental health services.
The Royal College says trainee rates have risen 20 percent over the past five years.
