Evaluation of Postgraduate Educational Environment of Doctors Training in Psychiatry: a mixed method study

Introduction Educational Environment (EE) is of paramount importance in Medical Education, but can be intangible and hard to clearly determine. Professional satisfaction and patient care improve in a pleasant learning environment; where postgraduate physicians are encouraged, suitably supervised, and fostered. A negative learning environment can be detrimental to trainees’ and teams’ morale and can jeopardize the multidisciplinary working relationship. Objectives The objective of this study was to measure the Educational Environment (EE) of Psychiatry postgraduate training in the Midwest of Ireland training Deanery; what aspects of training are working well and what areas are seen as not optimal. Methods This study took place between April and June 2021. A mixed methods approach was adopted, using the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM) and semi-structured one-to-one interviews. Results Response rate was 88% (n=22). The total PHEEM score was 105.64±23.52, indicating a postgraduate EE with more positive than negative aspects, but with room for improvement. There were no differences in overall PHEEM and subscale scores between trainees’ gender, training grades or years of working experience. Three themes were identified that contribute to trainees’ perception of EE: the commitment of the trainees’ supervisors to the role they play in trainees’ overall development, the clinical workload of the trainee, and the day-to-day working conditions of the trainee. Definite disparities between work placements were evident in the collected data across these three themes. Conclusions Although the training program had an overall positive EE, specific answers and interview themes indicated some areas of weakness that may contribute to trainee dissatisfaction and possible burnout. Planned interventions targeting these areas and tracking changes in EE and burnout rates over time may be useful measures going forward. Declaration of Interest None