About the project
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is running a programme to transform psychiatric training in the UK by integrating modern neuroscience, with generous support from The Gatsby Foundation and The Wellcome Trust.
In 2018, we made a successful bid for funds to support further work and the original two-year initiative was extended.
Perspectives on neuroscience
Find out what different doctors think about why it's important to integrate modern neuroscience and psychiatry.
- Rachael speaks about how neuroscience is restoring the scientific foundations of psychiatry and inspiring the doctors who practise it.
- Lindsey tells us that she hopes neuroscience will help her patients understand how they have become ill and give them more hope for an effective treatment.
- Claire talks about the power of neuroscience to help psychiatrists move away from managing symptoms, get to the bottom of mental illness and challenge the stigma that surrounds it.
Focus on adoption and embedding of new syllabus for MRCPsych
Now, our focus is on embedding the improvements to the integration of neuroscience in psychiatric training and supporting the high-quality teaching of neuroscience and a high-quality educational experience for trainees around the country.
The College has created the Neuroscience Board to oversee the programme of activities for this second stage.
The Neuroscience Board
The Neuroscience Board will monitor and review:
- adoption and implementation of the new Syllabus for the MRCPsych Examination
- development of training opportunities, including Brain Camps and a CPD Online module
- opportunities for interaction between trainees, psychiatrists and neuroscientists.
Who is on the RCPsych Neuroscience Board?
- Professor Wendy Burn (co-Chair), President, RCPsych
- Dr Mike Travis (co-Chair), UPMC, Pittsburgh
- Dr Rick Adams, UCL
- Professor Ed Bullmore, University of Cambridge
- Professor Sophia Frangou, Mount Sinai, New York
- Professor Eileen Joyce, UCL and Chair, Faculty of Neuropsychiatry, RCPsych
- Professor Anne Lingford-Hughes, Imperial College London and Chair, Academic Faculty, RCPsych
- Professor Subodh Dave, Dean, RCPsych
- Dr Mary-Ellen Lynall, Academic Clinical Fellow, University of Cambridge
- Professor David Ross, Yale University, USA
- Dr Sarah Caddick, The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
- Dr Andrew Welchman, Head of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Wellcome Trust
RCPsych Neuroscience Project activities
Consultation
Since 2016, we have consulted with in excess of 4,000 stakeholders across the UK (see map), including consultant and trainee psychiatrists, medical educators and researchers, medical students, as well as RCPsych Faculties and Divisions. Consultation is ongoing and continues to be a vital part of the Neuroscience Project. By meeting with stakeholders, we can:
- raise the profile of neuroscience among these groups
- explain the changes to Core Training
- identify the support and training needs of psychiatric educators teaching neuroscience.
Brain Camps
Most psychiatric educators are not experts in neuroscience, but they need to be knowledgeable enough to teach the subject and must be skilled and confident enough to teach it effectively.
We are addressing these needs by developing a series of regional training events called ‘Brain Camps’: Inspiring Excellence in Neuroscience.
What is a Brain Camp?
Brain Camps are one-day immersions in clinically-relevant neuroscience, consisting of two interwoven strands:
- refresher sessions on selected topics from cutting-edge neuroscience, presented by research-active, expert teachers from universities and research institutions (in collaboration with the British Neuroscience Association)
- workshops on innovative teaching strategies, facilitated by neuroscientists and educationalists.
Can I take part in a Brain Camp?
Brain Camps are open to everyone involved in teaching neuroscience in psychiatry. After taking part, participants feel more up-to-date on neuroscience and more confident in their ability to teach neuroscience effectively.
Where are Brain Camps held?
Brain Camps have taken place in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Belfast.
Brain Camp participants become members of our thriving WhatsApp community through which they exchange ideas and inspiration.