How to support early career psychiatrists to pursue a research career: does the evidence shed any light?

SUMMARY

The number of academic psychiatrists has fallen in recent years, partly owing to limited academic opportunities for the future professors of psychiatry. In 2019, Koelkebeck et al looked at barriers and facilitators experienced by early career psychiatrists (ECPs) in developing academic capabilities. In a literature review that also used systematic review techniques, the authors searched two databases, the grey literature and conference proceedings, and contacted experts on the topic. Despite the limited number and quality of studies identified, and limitations in data analysis and presentation of results, this review is an important contribution to an under-researched field. The findings are relevant to the design of psychiatry training programmes in the UK and the provision of other academic opportunities to ECPs.