Trainee experiences of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) training in Europe: 2010–2011 survey of the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) CAP working group

The objective of this study was to investigate trainee experiences of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) training across Europe in the following domains: (A) structure and organisation of training; (B) training quality and content; and (C) working conditions and recruitment. CAP trainee representatives were contacted via email across 34 countries in Europe using the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) email list to complete a survey on CAP training in 2010–2011. The European Union of Medical Specialties CAP group and trainees at the 2011 EFPT forum validated the survey data. Full surveys were submitted by 28 of the 34 countries who have national CAP training schemes. These 28 countries are subject to the following further analysis. 7/28 countries (25 %) have a core common trunk in general psychiatry before trainees specialise in CAP. All countries bar one have national training standards for CAP. Training standards are implemented in practice to a variable extent. There is a CAP-specific theoretical education programme and national CAP conference in 25/28 countries (89 %). Supervision occurs at least weekly in 19/28 countries (68 %); emergency duty supervision is available in 18/28 (64 %) countries; educational supervision is available in 13/28 countries (46 %). Psychotherapy training is obligatory in 19/28 countries (68 %). Research training is obligatory in 8/28 countries (29 %). Sub-specialty experience is extremely variable. Recruitment into CAP is a problem in 19/28 countries (68 %). Training experiences in CAP varies widely across European countries.