Experience of an Inter-regional Research Symposium for Higher Psychiatric Trainees in Scotland

Objectives: We present our experience of an annual research symposium for psychiatric trainees in Scotland. This paper aimed to consider trainees' involvement in research by examining firstly rates of publication and secondly the views of trainees. Methods: A list of all presentations to the Senior Trainees' Annual Research Symposium (STARS) meetings 2007-2009 was compiled and a detailed search made of major research databases. A questionnaire survey examined the views of attendees at the 2009 meeting. Results: Fifty percent of presented work achieved publication. Feedback from symposia attendees was almost universally positive. Conclusions: At a time of debate on the value of research sessions as part of higher training and a recent reduction in time allocated to research in the UK, we report on a thriving annual meeting. Research symposia for higher trainees were valued by participants and may be one useful means of encouraging trainee research.