New Structured Learning Activity (SLA), focusing on the important aspect of critical thinking in psychiatry, will be released on Learnit over the coming months. The release will follow a staggered implementation with the first two sections available from 24 October 2025, and the remaining two sections released on 28 November 2025. The initial module release will be used for further feedback and evaluation.

About the Structures Learning Activities

The SLA learning modules are designed to strengthen critical thinking skills in psychiatric practice. They progress from foundational concepts to advanced applications, with a focus on:

• Understanding what critical thinking is and its importance in psychiatry
• Tools for critical thinking and argumentation
• Common sources of error and bias in clinical reasoning
• Applying critical thinking skills in ethics and the law

Each module includes interactive content and reflective exercises to support the application of learning in clinical contexts.

What it means for members

Fellows will receive CPD points for completing the modules.

For trainees and specialist international medical graduates, completion of the SLA learning modules will be optional until August 2026, subject to a satisfactory evaluation by the Education Committee. Trainees and SIMGs who choose to complete the SLA during the optional period will have this activity recorded and not be required to undertake any future alternative activity or assessment.

Trainees and SIMGs who have previously passed the Critical Essay Question will not be required to complete the SLA or any replacement activity prior to Fellowship.

More information on the transition rules is available in the FAQs.

A number of individuals, including Fellows, trainees, people with lived experience and First Nations peoples have contributed to the development of these modules. The course outline has been reviewed by several College Education committees and the Written Examination Subcommittee’s work on the previous Critical Essay Question examination provided a foundation for the new learning modules. We would like to thank everyone involved for their contributions.

Further details are available on the SLA webpage.