The AIDA 2023 Conference was delivered in November 2023 in nipaluna, Tasmania. The Psychiatry Interest Forum (PIF) and the Specialist Training Program (STP) teams set up an exhibition booth where medical students and healthcare practitioners had an opportunity to ask questions about the RANZCP training program and the PIF program, get their hands on our official merchandise, and sign up to become a PIF member. We received a lot of interest and the exhibition booth proved to be a success. We also participated in the AIDA exhibitor prize draw, with two exhibition attendees winning meditation vouchers from Lifeflow Meditation. 

The STP team also delivered two pre-conference events. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trainee Forum was held in the morning and was attended by psychiatry trainees, both in-person and online. The forum consisted of lively discussions where trainees had an opportunity to connect with each other and discuss their experiences, successes, and challenges as they progress through the RANZCP psychiatry training program. The College also had an opportunity to receive direct feedback on how we can improve our services to better support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees on their pathway to Fellowship.

Our ‘Insights to Psychiatry’ workshop was attended by 11 medical students and junior medical officers sponsored by the RANZCP. Also in attendance were psychiatry trainees, RANZCP President, Dr Elizabeth Moore, and CEO, Sharon McGowan. The workshop’s rich agenda consisted of presentations about the PIF program, cultural intelligence, and resilience. Sponsored students had an opportunity to ask our psychiatry trainees questions about a career in psychiatry during a Q&A panel and were also guided through an interactive case study which involved volunteers and role-play. The workshop concluded with a speed networking session where students and trainees had a chance to get to know each other. Overall, the workshop was an interactive, engaging, and informative experience, with positive feedback received from those in attendance. 

The STP team has received Australian Government funding to deliver both these events at AIDA Conference 2024.