Development of foundation year 1 psychiatry posts: implications for practice

Most literature discussing the introduction of foundation year 1 (F1) psychiatry posts has focused on recruitment. However, for F1 posts to offer a valuable learning experience and a potential recruitment boost, psychiatrists and employing organisations should be aware of general issues arising in the first postgraduate year. These include the inherently stressful student-to-doctor transition, the need for bespoke induction programmes for new graduates, F1 doctors’ specific needs for support, supervision and peer support, and the centrality of the relationship with the consultant supervisor to the new doctor. Understanding these themes will enable psychiatrists and mental health organisations to offer better F1 psychiatry experiences, which may boost recruitment and could maximise the opportunities for F1 doctors to develop skills and qualities that will be of value in their future careers, whatever specialty they end up working in.