From golden beaches to the heartland: reflections of NSW rural trainees.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the training experiences of rural-based psychiatry trainees in New South Wales.


METHODS
Semistructured interviews were conducted with psychiatry trainees, rural psychiatrists and rural mental health administrators. The interviews were, for the most part, conducted face to face.


RESULTS
Three factors that make this programme work are the opportunity to start training in a rural centre, a local psychiatrist who can act as guide and mentor and the initiative of this group of registrars. Three obstacles are a perceived lack of flexibility in College guidelines, isolation from peers and insufficient support when relocating to the city for specialty terms.


CONCLUSIONS
The NSW rural psychiatry training project is an exciting development. Three years on, it represents the best avenue for creating a locally based rural psychiatrist network. It stands as a model for the rest of the country.
de Moore
Gregory
G
Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia. Gregory_de_moore@wsahs.nsw.gov.au
Smith
Kathleen
K
Earle
Maree
M
D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008611:Mentors; D009517:New South Wales; D011231:Preceptorship; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012934:Social Isolation; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D000078329:Workforce