The Board of Study (BoS) in Psychiatry of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) conducts a training programme in psychiatry and an examination, leading to the degree Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Psychiatry. The successful completion of the post MD programme leads to board certification as a specialist in psychiatry in Sri Lanka. At present successful trainees have the option of select sub-specialities i.e. child and adolescent psychiatry, and forensic psychiatry. The BoS introduces another subspecialty, addictions psychiatry. This the prospectus provides information regarding the regulations and guidelines formulated by the BoS in Psychiatry and the PGIM pertaining to the structure of the training programme in addictions psychiatry leading to board certification as a specialist in addictions psychiatry.

On completion of training, Specialists in Addiction psychiatry are expected to acquire adequate knowledge, skills, and attitudes to manage mental health problems and disorders in people who use psychoactive substances, contribute to service development and research and to work with relevant stakeholders to provide a specialist mental health service for substance users. They should be able to contribute to advancement of addictions psychiatry, voice opinion to policy makers and contribute to raise public awareness. In order to practice the specialty effectively and efficiently, the qualified clinicians will keep their knowledge current and engage in scientific research and audit.

The expected long-term outcome of the training programme is to have specialists in addictions psychiatry in adequate numbers working in all districts and providing services both at hospital and community level.

Trainees who wish to be board certified as specialists in addictions psychiatry shall select this programme. Successful completion of the MD Psychiatry examination is a requirement to enter the training programme in addictions psychiatry. The number of trainees selected shall be decided by the BoS in Psychiatry, depending on the vacancies, the cadre approved by the Ministry of Health, and availability of training placements.

Trainees will be selected on merit based on the results of the MD (Psychiatry) examination. The positions available will be offered to the candidates by the BoS in Psychiatry.

Please refer to the relevant prospectus for the most up to date information. The prospectus of a particular programme contains official information pertaining to a programme approved by the Board of Management, University Senate and the University Grants Commission