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Chapter 17 - Sierra Leone: Capacity Building, Trainee Perspective on Volunteering

from Section 3 - Reflective Accounts and Perspectives of Global Mental Health Volunteering

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 November 2023

Sophie Thomson
Affiliation:
World Psychiatric Association
Peter Hughes
Affiliation:
Springfield University Hospital, London
Sam Gnanapragasam
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
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Summary

Volunteering in international psychiatry during training has many attractions and advantages. Natural breaks in training occur between foundation, core, higher training and consultant posts and Out of Programme Experiences (OOPEs) have been supported, historically. Many trainees have fewer financial, family and caring commitments earlier in their careers, affording them flexibility to spend extended periods abroad. However, earlier stages of training mean less clinical and management experience and OOPEs need to be balanced between the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ regulations about completing examinations and progressing through training. Fortunately, there is a range of opportunities for trainees to get involved, both in-country and remotely, through single one-off placements or repeated visits for shorter durations. In this chapter, we describe one personal experience of long-term volunteering, highlighting learning points and key considerations, as well as indicating alternative opportunities to consider.

Type
Chapter
Information
Volunteering in Global Mental Health
A Practical Guide for Clinicians
, pp. 153 - 164
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

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General Medical Council. A Reference Guide for Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK. The Gold Guide Sixth Edition; 2016.Google Scholar
UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). Human Development Indices and Indicators. 2018 Statistical Update. United Nations Development Programme; 2018.Google Scholar
Harris, D, Endale, T, Lind, UH et al. Mental health in Sierra Leone. BJPsych Int. 2020 Feb 22;17(1):1416.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Alemu, W, Funk, M, Gakurah, T et al. WHO profile on mental health in development (WHO proMIND): Sierra Leone. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012.Google Scholar
World Health Organization, WTF and WVI. Psychological First Aid: Guide for Field Workers. WHO; 2011.Google Scholar
Harris, D, Wurie, A, Baingana, F et al. Mental health nurses and disaster response in Sierra Leone. Lancet Global Health. 2018;6(2):e146–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

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