Background: Psychiatrists and psychiatry registrars are vulnerable to experiencing burnout due to factors such as patient violence, suicide, limited resources, high work demand, responsibility without authority, conflict between responsibility towards employers versus towards the patient and isolation. Doctor burnout is associated with negative effects on patient care and professionalism and can present a threat to the viability of the healthcare systems.

Objectives: This session aims to present some empirical information and personal views about the welfare of psychiatrists and trainees with the aim of increasing awareness of the topic and promoting active consideration of personal and systemic actions that can be taken to improve the welfare of psychiatrists and trainees.

Methods: A trainee psychiatrist, an early career psychiatrist, the Chair of the Committee for Examinations and the President of the College will integrate evidence from the literature with their own perspectives on welfare-related issues in psychiatry. The audience will be invited to participate in a 30-min panel discussion with the presenters after the individual presentations.

Findings: Welfare issues are common in all stages and areas of psychiatry and may be present with varying levels of severity and impact. There are significant personal, professional and community consequences when these issues are neglected. There are many potential solutions to increase well-being and overcome or reduce the burden of welfare-related distress.

Conclusions: Promoting the welfare of psychiatry registrars and psychiatrists is of upmost importance at a personal, College and systemic level.