Forensic psychiatry as its first step
A year ago never would I have imagined that I would be in Switzerland to start my Residency in forensic medicine. A year ago I was in Italy, more precisely in Naples. I had just graduated in the middle of the pandemic and I was very disappointed by the behavior of my professor; disappointed and aware at the same time, that this would have been the only way to specialization.
For three years I had been an intern in that institute and I had already understood what awaited me. Maybe it was because of the pandemic, maybe because of the advice of friends and loved ones, but by then I had decided that I wanted to try and see what my life would be like as a resident abroad.
The steps to reach the goal: moving and studying abroad
I was sure it would not be easy, but nothing stopped me from trying. I gathered information, read on the internet, asked people who had done the same and followed their advice. Leaving aside the immense bureaucratic Italian procedure, which will perhaps be the subject of another post, during the months of post-graduate training I focused on German, which I had already started to study the previous year in order to go on Erasmus in Germany, until I obtained a B2 certificate, necessary for the recognition of the language in Switzerland.
I then sent the necessary documentation to the MEBEKO, the authority responsible for recognising foreign qualifications in medicine and surgery, and in the meantime I have been learning more about the Swiss system. In Switzerland there is no test: theory is not enough, you need skills and motivation. You have to change training centres, travel around, see different realities, do different interviews, but at least this allows you to really get an idea of what the job as a specialist will be like.
Starting with a year in forensic psychiatry
The ‘logbuch’ for forensic medicine, the guide that explains in detail what you have to do in order to be eligible for the specialisation examination, recommended starting with the ‘external year’, i.e. a year of training in another branch, so that once this year is over, you are free to concentrate solely and exclusively on the subject of your choice. Of the various options, I chose forensic psychiatry.
I had always found it interesting and had not had the opportunity to study it during my studies. In Switzerland, specialisation does not necessarily have to take place in university centres. You can start in smaller centres or in large centres that are on a par with university centres in terms of what they offer.
On a Wednesday in November 2020, the recognition process was completed, so I decided to send my application to the canton’s psychiatric service. After about 15 minutes, I received a phone call from human resources asking to confirm my interest and to arrange an interview. The following day the interview took place: relaxed, friendly atmosphere, clarity on both sides, really pleasant. “So when do you want to start?” I was asked. “Is Monday OK for you?” I replied. “Till’ Monday. And welcome.”