Has Supervision and Training in CAMHS Ireland Improved Following the Maskey Report?

Abstract

Introduction: A look back review of South Kerry CAMHS in Ireland, known as the ‘Maskey report’ (MR) highlighted several key contributory factors including an absence of formal supervision, inadequate prescribing knowledge, and a lack of contractual requirements to engage in professional education to develop skills pertaining to child psychiatry.Aim: To investigate child and adolescent psychiatrists’ perceptions concerning supervision levels before and after the MR, their prescribing knowledge and practices, and professional education.
Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional, mixed-methods observational approach, distributing a study-specific questionnaire electronically to 160 CAP. Demographic details and participants’ perspectives on training, supervision, and CPD activities were collected. Statistical analysis, including chi-square tests, was conducted to explore associations with thematic analysis applied to free text responses for qualitative insights.
Results: From the 160 eligible respondents, 102 child and adolescent psychiatrists participated in the study giving a response rate of 63.8%. More than a third of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) reported less than weekly supervision (n  = 11, 34.4%). Fifty-two respondents (51.0%) felt that psychotropic medication training for trainees was below adequate, and this was higher in NCHDs (χ2 (2, n = 102) = 12.192, p = .002) and in those working in public settings (χ2 (2, n = 102) = 10.098, p = .006). A third of respondents reported access to CPD activity as inadequate (n  = 32, 31.4%) and this was also higher in NCHDs (χ² (1, n = 102) = 7.515, p  = 0.006).
Discussion: Given the suboptimal frequency of supervision, perceived inadequacy of psychotropic medication training and lack of access to CPD activities, further research to establish effective strategies for enhancing supervision and training of child and adolescent psychiatrists is warranted.