Didactics

Didactics
A strong didactic program is critical to the training experience. Our residents have protected didactic time (1 half day/week in the PGY–I year and 1 full day/week in the remaining years) that integrates a balanced curriculum with developmental learning based on the PGY level. PRITE and board–relevant teaching with specific courses on test prep are included. Residents are exposed to psychotherapy and subspecialty topics in the PGY–I year; the subsequent years of training build upon this foundation. All members of the academic staff, including several volunteer faculty members and the chair of our department, Dr. Petros Levounis, are extensively involved in teaching.
In response to COVID-19 we have transitioned to a flexible, hybrid didactic schedule. Didactic sessions are delivered both virtually and in-person where safely possible. We have always integrated our grand rounds into our didactic schedule, and we have continued this tradition with virtual grand rounds.

PGY–I: Getting Started
PGY–I resident didactics provide a primer for psychiatric interviewing and history taking. Residents should expect to learn the basics with regard to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of inpatient and emergency issues. Residents are also introduced to the basic concepts of psychotherapy.

PGY–II: Clinical Knowledge Advancement
PGY–II year resident didactics provide a more comprehensive review of the major psychopathology with regard to diagnosis, treatment, and management. Residents should expect to learn more about sub–specialty topics like consultation liaison psychiatry and begin to gain exposure to psychotherapeutic modalities like supportive therapy.

PGY–III & PGY - IV: Independence and Professional Identity
PGY–III year and IV residents’ didactics provide a more in–depth academic exposure.
Residents learn how to apply advanced psychotherapeutic techniques to individual therapy patient cases. There are seminars on CBT, interpersonal therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Residents are also exposed to sub–specialty topics and evidence based mental health with a focus on using and evaluating literature.
Residents should expect the didactics in this year to also focus on board–relevant information, skills to bridge to future psychiatric practice, and develop skills in teaching juniors.
Year–by–Year
PGY 1 |
PGY 2 |
PGY 3 & PGY 4 (Biennial combined classes) |
- Orientation
- Crash course series
- Foundations -Psychiatric diagnosis, Psychopharmacology
- Core Skills
- PRITE Course
- Introduction to psychotherapy
- Resident Well-being
- Getting started on Scholarly activity
- Professionalism
|
- Psychiatric disorders and management
- Interviewing skills
- Psychological testing
- Basics of Consultation-liaison psychiatry
- Supportive psychotherapy
- Research course
- Emergency psychiatry
- Neuromodulation
- Career paths
|
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Psychoanalysis seminar
- Advanced Interviewing
- Clinical formulation
- CBT seminars
- Teaching to teach
- Child and Adolescent psychiatry
- Geriatric psychiatry
- Forensic psychiatry
- Advanced CL
- Addiction psychiatry
- Clinical Neuroscience
- Motivational interviewing
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy
- Group psychotherapy
- Leadership and Administrative Psychiatry
- Integrative Psychiatry
- Board preparation
- Ethics and Legal concerns in psychiatry
- Evidence based psychiatry
- LGBTQ mental health
- Social and Cultural Determinants of Mental Health
- Media training
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