Uncovering trends in training progression for a national cohort of psychiatry trainees: discrete-time survival analysis

Background The global rise in mental health issues calls for a strong psychiatry workforce. Yet, training worldwide is facing recruitment challenges, causing unfilled consultant posts and possibly threatening the quality of patient care. An in-depth understanding trainees’ progression through warranted to explore what happens recruited trainees during training. Aims To uncover current trends UK. Method This national retrospective cohort study with data from UK Medical Education Database used discrete-time survival analysis analyse those who started their core post 2012–2017 (2820 trainees; 59.6% female, 67.6% graduates (UKGs)). impact sociodemographic characteristics on were also investigated. Results overall probability completing 6 years (minimum required complete UK) was 17.2% (ranging 4.8% non-UKG females 29% UKG males). not progress highest (57.1%) specialty For UKGs, ethnicities other than White, disability, had experienced childhood social deprivation (measured as entitlement free school meals) significantly ( P ≤ 0.02) lower years. Conclusions Less one five are likely this varies across groups doctors. Completing is, therefore, exception rather norm has important implications trainees, planning workforces or responsible