Pick your Speciality
Psychiatry
Q&A Professional Association
What are the key points of specialist training?
Further training to become a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy is extremely varied, as it includes work in various areas of psychiatry (inpatient and outpatient acute psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, consultation and liaison psychiatry) and one year of further training in a somatic subject. Further training also includes training in a psychotherapeutic method. After completing specialist training, it is possible to specialize in exciting areas. Research can be carried out part-time at all university clinics, but also at almost all larger psychiatric clinics. One year of research activity can be recognized. Work abroad can be recognized under certain conditions.
How expensive is this specialist training?
The majority of the costs of further training are borne by the training institutions. Depending on the psychotherapy model and institute chosen, candidates may incur costs for psychotherapy training, particularly for self-awareness (own psychotherapy).
What further training options and specializations are there?
Specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy. The specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry is a separate specialist title. Specialist titles can be obtained in geriatric psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, consultation and liaison psychiatry and in the psychiatry of addictive disorders. Certificates of competence can also be obtained, for example in interventional psychiatry.
How can a stay abroad in this area be implemented or is it even necessary? (e.g. necessity of the USMLE)
A stay abroad is not required. Before working abroad, it is advisable to clarify whether the activity is recognized in Switzerland for obtaining the specialist title.
How well can this specialty be combined with research (clinical research or basic research)?
Research can be carried out part-time at all university clinics, but also at almost all larger psychiatric clinics. One year of research activity can be recognized.
How important is it to do research (e.g. to do an MD-PhD)?
The research spectrum in psychiatry is very broad and, in line with the clinical principle of bio-psycho-social psychiatry, ranges from basic neurobiological research to psychotherapy research and research projects in the field of social psychiatry. Research is highly valued and an MD-PhD opens up career opportunities in academia but also better career opportunities in the clinical-institutional setting.
How important is it for your starting job to gain an insight into this subject area during the elective year?
We recommend that all students undertake a placement in psychiatry during their elective year.
Q&A Physicians
Senior physician, F, 68 years old
How old are you?
68 y/o
Where did you study and when did you graduate?
Lausanne, 1983.
Do you have a doctorate?
Yes
When did you become a specialist?
1991
How long did your specialist training take?
8 years.
What is your current position (and background)?
Own practice. President of the Swiss Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
How does your working week look like?
40% practice and patient contact, 40% professional political work.
When and why did you choose this specialization?
During my time as a junior doctor. Very interesting medical subject; inclusion of the interactions between mind and body; multi-perspectivity and orientation towards the bio-psycho-social approach; psychotherapeutic thinking and action as an essential part of psychiatric work, i.e. the holistic approach to the patient. Diversity of methods in relation to psychotherapy. Very humane working conditions even during residency. Good work-life balance.
How would you describe your time as a resident?
Varied. In surgery, the workload is very, very high with 12-14 hour days, often two weeks in a row, i.e. without a weekend off; rough handling; very hierarchical. Very competitive environment, unfortunately with a lot of envy and resentment.
Different in psychiatry with good support from senior physicians and head physician, high level of collegiality. Opportunity to attend further training courses regularly, self-awareness and supervision could also be completed partly during working hours.
Is part-time work possible already during residency?
Yes.
What working modalities does your specialist title offer?
Hospital, practice, research, as well as prevention, rehabilitation, assessment, emergency service.
How competitive is it to complete this specialist title in Switzerland?
Wide range of job opportunities and residency positions.
How would you rate your work-life balance on a scale of 1-10? Would your colleagues with the same specialist title confirm this?
9
How easy is it to implement family planning in this field?
Very good.
What do you wish you had known before your specialist training?
Nothing.
Why should someone choose this specialty?
Very interesting and unique subject; every patient has a different life story and experiences; every patient is unique. Combination of knowledge from the natural sciences and humanities with medical, psychotherapeutic, neuroscientific, pharmacological and psychosocial expertise.
The great importance of the doctor-patient relationship and the necessary continuous reflection as a central component of working with patients. Wide variety of methods.
What challenges await someone in this field?
Self-awareness and further training in psychotherapy are a challenge, but in a positive sense. This question can certainly be answered better and more comprehensively by younger colleagues, junior doctors and heads of institutions.
Is it necessary to write the master’s/doctoral thesis in this subject area?
No.
Is it possible to find an assistant doctor position in this specialty directly after the federal examination?
Yes.
What advice would you give to young medical students?
Take your time. Don’t choose the subject primarily on the basis of future earnings, but follow your interests.
