The following enquiries into the careers of trainee psychiatrists were undertaken as part of a personal attempt to contact all doctors working in psychiatry in sub-consultant grades in the South-Western Region. The original intention was to establish a register of trainees in the Region, which is geographically large, extending from Gloucester down to the furthermost parts of Cornwall. The academic centre has traditionally been in Bristol, with its University Medical School and Professorial Department of Mental Health. The Regional Clinical Tutor in Psychiatry organizes regular post-graduate meetings and courses, and some of these take place throughout the Region. The Avon Membership Course, now in its fourth term, takes place on Friday afternoons in Bristol during University term time, providing a two-year theoretical framework for trainees preparing for the M.R.C.Psych. The meetings are traditionally open to all interested persons from any discipline, but trainees working at a distance from Bristol find it difficult to attend this course.

Remember that the interview with the examiners is short. It is therefore very important that you do not waste time talking about irrelevancies and giving a long list of normal findings.

If a diagnosis etc. is possible, give it in the form of a Case Formulation. If it has not been possible to make a diagnosis, say so. You can then offer either to discuss the case or to propose what collateral information you think is required, e.g. an interview with a relative, a P.S.W.’s report, psychological or other kinds of tests, and so on.