King's College London's Psychiatry Society's Psych for 6th Programme: An Outreach Initiative in South London Sixth Forms

Aims King's College London's (KCL) Psychiatry Society's ‘Psych for 6th’ programme is an outreach initiative aspiring medical students in year 12 at sixth forms South London. The aims of the are to raise students’ awareness mental illnesses; gain a better understanding style learning medicine through lens psychiatry; widen participation medicine; and promote career psychiatry. Methods 25 state Southwark Lambeth were invited take part via email. took place 4 between September November 2022. involved 2 one hour sessions over consecutive weeks was run by KCL Society committee members. Session 1 covered philosophy health, illness, health illness; overview different professionals how become psychiatrist; introduction history taking; interactive history-taking activity. aetiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis management depression; cases; psychiatric Pre- post-programme questionnaires sent attendees. Results percentage considering psychiatry increased 20% on completion programme. average attendee confidence with talking patients from 2.3 4.2 programme, being not confident all 5 very confident. Students gained types conditions psychiatrists manage - “I thought information about [mental health] disorders interesting.” In response “What did you enjoy most these workshops?”, 78% commented role-play activity where they given opportunity practise taking history. also gave “broader deeper what school [is like]”. Conclusion well received many them this their first exposure looks forward delivering further London 2023, working other university societies across UK, multidisciplinary student expand delve into careers.