Global Overview
Psychiatry faces significant workforce shortages across all countries — training posts are generally more accessible than surgical or competitive medical specialties. Sub-specialties are broad and intellectually diverse, from biological psychiatry and neuropsychiatry to forensic, liaison and child and adolescent psychiatry.
Training by Country
| Country | Route | Duration | Exit Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Direct CT1 → ST4 | 6 years | MRCPsych + CCT |
| USA | 4yr ACGME Psychiatry residency | 4 years | ABPN Certification |
| Canada | 5yr RCPSC residency (CaRMS) | 5 years | FRCPC (Psychiatry) |
| Australia/NZ | RANZCP training programme | 5 years | FRANZCP |
| Ireland | RCPI Psychiatry programme | 6 years | MRCPI + Specialist Cert |
Sub-Specialties in Psychiatry
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAMHS) — highest demand globally
- Forensic Psychiatry — interface of mental illness and law
- Liaison Psychiatry — mental health in physical health settings
- Old Age Psychiatry — dementia and mental health in older adults
- Psychotherapy — CBT, DBT, psychodynamic approaches
- Addictions Psychiatry — substance use disorders
- Academic Psychiatry — research careers in neuroscience and mental health
MRCPsych Examinations (UK)
- Paper A: Core psychopathology, psychiatric history, neurosciences
- Paper B: Advanced psychopathology, assessment, pharmacology
- Paper C: Research methods, statistics, evidence-based psychiatry
- CASC: Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies — OSCE format, 16 stations
Papers can be sat from CT1; CASC requires Paper A and B to be passed first.