Helping F3 Doctors working in Psychiatry: top tips

Many junior doctors are spending at least a year out of training but doing posts in the NHS after foundation years, commonly called the F3 year.

When working in psychiatry posts, this is an opportunity to encourage doctors to apply for psychiatry training.

Here are some proposed tips for helping these doctors and encouraging them to apply for psychiatry training.

1. Enable these doctors to attend the local teaching and academic programme through active job planning.
2. Ensure these doctors receive one hour’s supervision from their consultant supervisor through active job planning.
3. Have an active plan for careers advice for these doctors through the Trust or HEE (Deanery).
4. Encourage these doctors to participate in audits and/or research projects to build their CVs. 
5. Encourage these doctors to join as Associate members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which is free.
6. Encourage these doctors to utilise the training portfolio-on-line available on the RCPsych website.
7. Provide a welcome pack for F3 doctors.
8. Consider providing help for preparing for CT1 interviews.
9. Study leave budgets are provided by the HEE (Deanery) and F3 doctors will not be funded. Trusts may wish to fund some study leave to enable F3 doctors to maintain professional development and develop their careers.