Brian Jacobs

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Training in Europe

Abstract This chapter summarizes the development of child and adolescent psychiatry training in Europe and its current position. It notes the considerable disparity in the length and style of training. This can be only partly explained by the differing contexts in which child and adolescent psychiatrists practice across Europe. Another contributing factor is the rules governing medical training, which are not yet harmonized across Europe. Although it is recognized in most countries, child and adolescent psychiatry is still not recognized as a separate specialty at a national level in several European countries. This militates against training in the specialty in those countries. Collaboration between trainee organizations and those responsible for organizing training nationally and across Europe seems the most likely way to enhance the quality of training across the continent.