Objective: To demonstrate how an experience of partnership evolved when a group of psychiatry residents moved beyond the traditional hospital setting and began to question their current training.
Method: We describe our experience in the context of the current literature and suggest ways of implementing community psychiatry training in existing residency programs.
Results: Principles of community psychiatry--partnership, respect and shared responsibility--are good standards in psychiatric care.
Conclusions: Community psychiatry training may be possible in existing resident rotations, although teaching in the community setting may also be of value. Research and clinical work in "community psychiatry" need to be valued. Problems may be enriching if they are resolved collaboratively.