HOW TO GET INVOLVED  Find out if your medical school has a community intellectual disability attachment and foundation year taster sessions.  Consider student projects or audits in Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability.  Consider electives in Psychiatry.  Join the Psychiatry student societies linked to the medical school.  Become a student associate of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.  Attend conferences and submit posters.  Apply for prizes and bursaries offered by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.  Contribute to the Faculty of Intellectual Disability newsletter. www.rcpsych.ac.uk/workinpsychiatry/faculties/ intellectualdisability/aboutthefaculty/ newsletters/  Become a member of the editorial board. www.intellectualdisability.info RELEVANT READING 1. www.intellectualdisability.info/ 2. www.mencap.org.uk/ 3. www.thementalelf.net/tag/learning-disabilities/ 4. Inside an ID service: http://youtu.be/nTD4iYrE8jM 5. Career Pathway: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/ discoverpsychiatry/studentassociates/ psychiatriccareerpaths/subspecialties/learningd isability.aspx 6. GMCs website on Intellectual Disability: www.gmc-uk.org/learningdisabilities/ 7. Link to Hospital Passport: www.easyhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/Hos pital%20passport%20-%20JBC.pdf 8. ‘The Gold Guide’ May 2014: http://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/wpcontent/uploads/sites/475/2013/10/AReference-Guide-for-Postgraduate-SpecialtyTraining-in-the-UK.pdf. 9. Link to ‘Confidential Inquiry into Premature Deaths of People with Learning Disabilities’ (CIPOLD): http://www.bris.ac.uk/cipold/fullfinalreport.pdf @psychiatryofid Authors: Bernice Knight, Rupali Acharya, Swapnil Palod, Miriam Isaac, Kanchan Sugand, Felicity Trimmer, Kathryn Cousins, Radhika Ramkumar & Amanda Sinai Psychiatry-ofIntellectualDisability Last updated: 5 July 2014 Disclaimer: This leaflet represents the views of the authors and not that of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability or the Royal College of Psychiatrists. LEAFLET FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS AND DOCTORS IN TRAINING WHY CHOOSE THIS SPECIALTY? As a specialist working in Psychiatry of Intellectual Disability, your patients will have a wide range of intellectual disabilities and overlaid mental health problems. Cases are often complex due to varied presentation of mental illness, physical health needs, challenging behaviour, and interactions with environmental and social factors.   Wider opportunities:  Teaching and academic opportunities.  Good job prospects in NHS and independent hopsitals.  Prospects for active strategic roles locally, nationally and internationally to direct clinical services and improve lives of people with intellectual disabilities.  Shorter time frame for progression to a consultant post, as compared to some other specialities. This specialty can offer a secure, stimulating and satisfying life-long career. Clinical aspects:       Varied and complex case mix. Requires skills in psychiatry, neurology, general medicine, psychotherapy and leadership. Long-term relationships and continuity of care. Close work with carers and families. Sub-specialisation opportunities in autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, epilepsy, dementia, psychotherapy and forensics. True multi-disciplinary working with psychologists; nurses; speech & language therapists; occupational therapists; music and art therapists. Variety of work settings including hospital wards, outpatient clinics and community. Provide advocacy for your patients to ensure equal access to medical, social and therapeutic services. You are suited to this specialty if you:  Enjoy a holistic approach,  Have good communication skills,  Want to use your medical expertise,  Excel at working in teams,  Value a good work-life balance,  Can think outside of the box. CAREER PATHWAY