General Psychiatry

Preparing physicians to become competent, sensitive psychiatrists capable of treating the variety of patients that will come under their care remains key to the mission of the department. A tripartite system of broad and intensive clinical experience, individual supervision, and didactic seminars anchors the general psychiatry residency program. The educational program is divided into three major areas: the acquisition of clinical skills, the establishment of a psychiatric knowledge base, and the personal growth of the individual as he or she develops as a psychiatrist.

The program emphasizes the value of an in-depth understanding of individuals that provides the foundation for the program's exceptional competence in the teaching of psychotherapy, biological psychiatry, research, and the realities of today's rapidly changing health care delivery systems. Residents graduate from the program well prepared for a wide range of psychiatric careers that may include research, teaching, and hospital-based or private practice. The four-year program in general psychiatry enrolls 32 residents. Each year, eight first-year positions become available and start in June.

All residents spend the first six months in medicine and neurology rotations. Residents may request to substitute two months of pediatrics at Children's Memorial Hospital in place of medicine. They then begin the psychiatry portion of the residency in January. The following three and a half uninterrupted years in psychiatry enhance the cohesiveness and integration of the educational experience. Thus, our psychiatric training year (PTY) runs from January through December, and the "first semester" refers to a six-month period from January through June and the "second semester," from July through December.

Didactic seminars, grand rounds, and other organized teaching experiences are held at NMH every Wednesday. Residents at all sites are excused from their clinical responsibilities to attend the full day of educational experiences.

Curriculum Overview

PGY: Postgraduate Year
PTY: Post Transitional Year