Year by Year Overview of the Psychiatry Residency Research Track

An overall schedule for all four years of this combined general psychiatry residency and research training experience is provided under "PGY 1-4 Summary Schedule". Special features of this research track include:

• The availability of "protected time" to pursue a research project beginning in PGY-2

• The option to select either "longitudinal" or "block" protected time in PGY-3 and 4, according to the specific nature and needs of the research project

• Availability of an introductory research course as early as PGY-1, with on-line courses in translational research available as early as PGY-2

• Assignment of a research mentor from the very start of the residency program

• Option to apply for a PGY 5-7 Research Fellowship, with initial stipend support from the MCV School of Medicine

PGY-1 Program:

First-year residents formalize their identity as physicians, as they assume increasing responsibility for patient care. Rotations in internal medicine (or pediatrics), neurology, and emergency medicine provide a background in clinical diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. Psychiatry rotations occur at both VCU Medical Center and the McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center. Residents work with several interdisciplinary inpatient teams, each led by an attending psychiatrist with special clinical expertise, utilizing the most current approaches. Individual supervision is provided on each team rotation, and the PGY-1 coordinator serves as advisor during the varied clinical experiences. Residents acquire skills necessary for self-learning, and enhance their expertise in medical examination, psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis. Didactic courses are coordinated with the rotation schedule, and offer a comprehensive introduction to the field. Research track residents will begin regular meetings with their mentor, and may participate in a 12 week interdisciplinary research lecture series.

4 Months Primary Care: (3 Months Pediatrics or Internal Medicine, 1 Month Emergency Medicine)

2 Months Neurology: (1 Month Inpatient, 1 Month Consults)

6 Months Inpatient Psychiatry (Includes both MCV Hospitals and VAMC)

Regular Contact with Research Mentor to Plan Project

PGY-1 Didactic Series, Grand Rounds, Case Conference, Resident Meeting

Option for Interdisciplinary Introduction to Research Lecture Series

PGY-2 Program:

Second-year residents enhance their competence and identity as developing psychiatrists. Through the clinical team approach, they increase their understanding of the biological, psychological and social bases of psychiatric disorders. They improve their abilities in data collection, and acquire greater skill in working with individuals, families and groups. Residents rotate on inpatient services at the VCUHS Hospitals, the Virginia Treatment Center for Children, and the McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center, spending time on geropsychiatry, child/adolescent, schizophrenic disorders, affective disorders, medical psychiatry, crisis stabilization and substance abuse teams. A rotation to Central State Hospital provides an opportunity to learn about forensics, and advanced care of the chronically mentally ill.

In PGY-2, residents also begin to follow a limited number of outpatients, under weekly supervision, in the psychotherapy training track. Didactic programs focus on psychiatric phenomenology, major diagnostic groupings, interview techniques and human development. Research track residents will have two months free of primary clinical service assignment, in which to develop their investigative program. (Participation in didactics and the psychotherapy program continues during this block).

5.5-6 Months Inpatient Psychiatry

1-1.5 Months Psychiatry ER Night Float

1 Month Child/Adolescent Psychiatry

1 Month Consult/Liaison Psychiatry

1 Month Substance Abuse Psychiatry

2 Months Protected Research Block

Supportive Psychotherapy and Medication Management Cases (4 hours/week)

PGY-2 Didactic Series, Case Conference, Grand Rounds, Resident Meeting

Option for Interdisciplinary Introduction to Research Lecture Series

Option to Begin Translational Research Curriculum

PGY-3 Program:

Third-year residents begin intensive training in several types of psychotherapy, and develop skills in outpatient diagnosis and treatment. At several training sites, residents are exposed to patients of diverse ages and diagnostic groupings. Varied clinic structures are used to provide treatment approaches tailored to the populations and problems encountered in outpatient work.

Throughout the year, residents spend portions of each week in adult clinics at VCUHS and the McGuire VA Medical Center, and in child psychiatry experiences based on campus at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children. Interdisciplinary teams and individual faculty supervisors provide structure and guidance for this training.

The psychotherapy training program expands in PGY-3 to include detailed didactic course work, assigned patients, and specific weekly supervision in supportive, intensive, cognitive, brief, and group treatment.

The PG-3 year stresses skills in outpatient evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment; increased autonomy in emergency room and on-call situations; theoretical grounding in psychodynamics, cognitive, group, and family theory; and development of one’s identity as a psychotherapist. The PG-3 year follows a “stream model” of ongoing assignments at several sites throughout the year. Research track residents may now elect to pursue a “block model” of project time, with protected full-time periods; or a “longitudinal model”, with concurrent times for clinical and investigative work.

Block Model:

3 Months Protected Research Time

9 Months General and Subspecialty Clinics

9 Months Psychotherapy Training Program (Supportive, Psychodynamic, Brief, Group, CBT)

Longitudinal Model:

10 Hours/Week Protected Research Time

13 Hours/Week General and Subspecialty Clinics

11 Hours/Week Psychotherapy Training Program

Both Models:

PGY-3 Didactic Series, Outpatient Case Conference and Evidence-Based Psychiatry Series, Grand Rounds, Resident Meeting

Option to Begin or Continue Translational Research Curriculum

 

PGY-4 Program:

The PGY-4 year stresses increased autonomy, outreach to the larger medical and mental health professions, career differentiation, and expanded skill as a therapist. The Consultation/Liaison rotation is based throughout the VCU Medical Center Hospitals and Clinics. Community psychiatry rotations occur at either Petersburg (District 19) or Chesterfield County Community Mental Health Centers. Electives include a broad array of clinical, research, supervisory, and administrative experiences, including the chief residency. Research track residents continue in either a “block model” or “longitudinal model” of protected project time. They will be encouraged to develop grant proposals and to apply for a post-residency research fellowship.

Block Model:

4 Months:

Outpatient Psychiatry Clinics

Psychotherapy Training Program
(Supportive, Psychodynamic, CBT, Family)

4 Months:

Full-time Research

4 Months:

Research Time (8 Hours/Week)

Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry (20 Hours/Week)

Community Psychiatry (10 Hours/Week)

Misc. Requirements, Electives (2 Hours/Week)

Longitudinal Model:

6 Months:

Research (15 Hours/Week)

Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry (15 Hours/Week)

Outpatient Psychiatry (10 Hours/Week)

 

6 Months:

Research (18 Hours/Week)

Community Psychiatry (10 Hours/Week)

Outpatient Psychiatry (10 Hours/Week)

Misc. Requirements, Electives (2Hours/Week)

Both Models:

PGY-4 Didactic Series, Consultation/Liaison Literature
Seminar, Graduate Medical Education Lecture Series, Grand Rounds, Resident Meeting

Option to complete Translational Research Curriculum

Option to apply for PGY 5-7 Research Fellowship