The Board of Study in Psychiatry of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) will conduct a training programme in psychiatry and an examination, the Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Psychiatry examination. The successful completion of this programme will lead to board certification as a specialist in psychiatry in Sri Lanka.

The training outcomes expected of the trainee is competence in the following roles.

1. Medical expert – The trainee should have knowledge and understanding of the basic and clinical sciences relevant to psychiatry and the necessary skills and ability to recognize and manage a wide range of psychiatric disorders in a variety of clinical contexts. They should know the principles of psychiatric rehabilitation and management of mental health problems in the community.
2. Communicator – The trainee should be able to listen effectively, convey to patients and families an accurate and coherent understanding of their illness, discuss appropriate information with health care teams and prepare accurate documents.
3. Collaborator – The trainee should be able to consult effectively with other psychiatrists and health care professional, teach colleagues and learn from them. They should be able to work collaboratively with other members of the multidisciplinary team and facilitate the learning of patients, students and other mental health care professionals.
4. Health Advocate – The trainee should be aware of the structures of governance (regional, national and international) in mental health care. They should be able to identify and understand the determinants of mental health as it affects patients and communities. They should be able to work with relevant health care services and other agencies to promote mental health and mental wellbeing of communities and prevent mental illness.
5. Manager – The trainee should be able to make effective use of resources to optimize patient care. They should be able to prioritize their work and manage their time effectively. They should be able to coordinate, manage and provide leadership to a multidisciplinary team.
6. Scholar – The trainees should be able to commit to lifelong learning, be able to critically appraise medical literature and information, help others learn and give constructive feedback. They should be aware of research principles and their application in clinical practice.
7. Professional – The trainees should show integrity, compassion and respect diversity. They should know the medical, legal and professional obligations of a psychiatrist and be responsible, dependable and punctual. They should accept constructive feedback, be aware of ethical principles. They should have self-awareness of personal limitations and be able to take appropriate action to overcome or correct these limitations.

Prospective applicants who intend to join the MD (Psychiatry) training programme must satisfy the following requirements:

(a) A medical degree registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council*

(b) Satisfactory completion of internship acceptable to the Sri Lanka Medical Council

(c) Satisfactory completion of one year of post-internship service in a university/public sector/private sector institution in Sri Lanka acceptable to the PGIM

(d) The criteria prescribed in paragraph (a) to (c) must have been satisfied by the applicant at the date of closure of applications for the selection examination in psychiatry.

(e) Where a shortfall has occurred due to any reason including sickness, maternity or other leave, the applicant should complete such shortfall to become eligible to apply for the selection examination in psychiatry.

(f) Any other requirements stipulated by the Board of Study in Psychiatry that have been approved by the Board of Management (BoM) of the PGIM

* Sri Lankans in the non-state sector will be selected based on ―Guidelines for enrolment of non-state sector candidates for training programmes – 2011. The decision of the Board of Management will be final in all such applications. The quota for the non-state sector is determined for each year by the BOS and same will be included in the advertisement.

Foreign nationals who seek to apply to register for the selection examination should possess a medical degree registrable with the Sri Lanka Medical Council. They will be selected based on ―Guidelines for enrolment of non-state sector candidates for training programmes – 2011. The decision of the Board of Management will be final in all such applications.

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