Table 2 Summary of themes and subthemes from the interviews

Exposure to psychiatry at medical school

 • Length of placement

 • Early introduction of psychiatry

 • Temporal learning: Having time to see changes in patients

 • Flattened hierarchy: Feeling a valued member of the team

 • Receiving detailed feedback from supervisors

Positive role models

 • Perceived personality traits among psychiatrists; for example, very approachable and people centered

 • Trainees were particularly influenced by consultants who a took personal interest in them and their development

Views on integration of psychiatry teaching at medical school

 • Support for the concept of integration

 • Concerns about the dilution of psychiatry teaching overall

Pathways in career decision-making: when did they decide on psychiatry?

 • Before medical school

 • During medical school

 • After medical school (Impact of foundation training)

Appealing factors

 • Psychosocial factors

 • Practical factors; work life balance, skillset required, research potential

Barriers

 • Negative attitudes/stigma

 • Isolation

 • ‘not a proper doctor’

 • Emotional stress and responsibility

Recommendations

 • Buddy schemes

 • Mentoring

 • Raising awareness at secondary schools

 • Challenging negative attitudes at medical school