Can psychiatric trainees have a role in the improvement of training? The first 20 years of European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees

Aims. The European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT), founded in London in 1992, is an independent international federation of psychiatric trainees' national associations. The EFPT is engaged in several actions in order to pursue its general aims to promote high standards of quality of psychiatric training and promote the collaboration and networking between European psychiatric trainees. Methods. Member associations constitute the general assembly that meets annually during the European Forum of Psychiatric Trainees. During the Forum, working groups are created and the activities for the next year are planned. Results. Regular activities of the EFPT include the production of statements expressing the standpoint of trainees on educational issues, the conduction of research projects, the creation of new national trainees' associations, the facilitation of networking among European psychiatric trainees and the organization an annual meeting (EFPT Forum). The last EFPT Forum has been organized in Sorrento (Italy) on May 2012. Psychiatric trainees from 37 European countries have registered to this event. Discussion. EFPT activities constitute a opportunity for psychiatric trainees to directly participate in the improvement of their psychiatric training and to establish a network with European colleagues that will contribute to their professonal development.