Qualitative study on the factors leading to variation in experience of the Foundation Psychiatry Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists

INTRODUCTION: The Psychiatry Foundation Fellowships were created by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) as a route to encourage foundation doctors to consider psychiatry as an exciting medical discipline. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the Psychiatry Foundation Fellows’ experience of applying to the Fellowship, their expectations prior to being appointed, the benefits of the fellowship, the barriers to gaining those benefits, any common factors raised, and any suggestions about how to improve the fellowship. METHODS: The researcher was a leadership fellow in medical education and simulation in the Foundation school of East of England. Ethical approval was obtained through Higher Education England as this was a service evaluation. Recruitment was purposive and participants were contacted by a gatekeeper. Four 1:1 interviews took place, the interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and the transcripts were analysed with thematic analysis. RESULTS: Preliminary Themes [Table: see text] CONCLUSIONS: The Psychiatry Foundation Fellowship was generally a positive experience in terms of fostering enthusiasm for psychiatry. A sense of community among fellows and recognition among clinical supervisors in acute trusts were felt to be lacking. The themes were used to shape RCPsych’s future plans for the Psychiatry Foundation Fellowship. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST: None Declared