Psychiatric education in Eastern Europe

Psychiatry and psychiatric education in the Eastern European countries are determined by the cultural practices and tradition of the region and the organizational principles of the U.S.S.R. Medical schools have been separated from the universities and are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health. Soviet psychiatry is less developed in medical education as compared to the West. A unique feature of Soviet medical education is the development of student scientific societies where opportunities exist for more in-depth work in a specialty. Except for a few select students, postgraduate psychiatric training is shorter and less rigorous than in the West. Refresher education at a facility far advanced training is required at 5-year intervals.