Through the looking-glass: private and public practice psychiatry in the RANZCP.

OBJECTIVE

To provide reflections on the representation of and engagement with private practice psychiatrists by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).

CONCLUSION

We consider some of the reasons for private psychiatrist disengagement with the RANZCP. We suggest approaches to better engage private psychiatrists in the RANZCP, including: involvement in mental health policy, improved committee representation, specific private practice and business training for Fellowship, broader private practice peer support networks (welfare, clinical research, leadership), tailored professional development, branch-based networks of public and private psychiatrists, and collaboration with specialist medical colleges and the Australian Medical Association.