Correspondence

High Royds Hospital, Menston, Ilkley, West Yorkshire LS29 6AQ

	APT for non-consultant career grade doctors?

Top APT for non-consultant career... References

 
On reading Slinn's (2000) recent editorial, I was disappointed that he did not mention non-consultant career grade (NCCG) doctors. I appreciate that the article was aimed at highlighting the strengths of Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (APT) for trainees, but I think it is important that APT be considered a useful journal for NCCG doctors as well. As a group they are playing an increasingly important role in psychiatric services and should be encouraged to undertake continuing professional development (CPD). APT is one of the better journals in this area. In a recent survey of local psychiatric NCCG doctors, over 85% of those not currently subscribing to APT would like to receive it as part of their CPD package. Overall they felt that APT provides better value for money than the current Royal College of Psychiatrists CPD package. Dr Slinn wrote that the process of learning does not change on moving from a training grade to a consultancy, and I believe this also applies to doctors moving into NCCG posts.

I do not take issue with anything that Dr Slinn wrote, but would strongly advocate the use of APT in providing ongoing education for all groups of doctors, especially NCCG doctors.

	References

Top APT for non-consultant career... References

 
Slinn, R. (2000) Advances in Psychiatric Treatment for trainees? Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 6, 241242.[Free Full Text]

Editor's reply

The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG

I would like to thank Dr Budd for his letter: the point is well taken. I am very glad to read that non-consultant career grade (NCCG) doctors enjoy reading Advances in Psychiatric Treatment and find it useful for their continuing professional development (CPD).

Of course we want to target NCCG doctors, as APT is aimed at providing CPD for all trained psychiatrists, whatever their grade. The purpose of the editorial was to emphasise that APT is also a useful source for those still in training, both before and after the membership examination. We welcome Dr Budd's response, and we would happily consider any suggestions of ways in which APT could be modified to be more useful to NCCG doctors.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Budd and B. Everett Why career grade doctors need CPD Advan. Psychiatr. Treat., May 1, 2001; 7(3): 161 - 162. [Full Text]

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