Program Goals and Objectives

The goal of our residency program is to develop professional, board-certified psychiatrists capable of providing competent, independent and professional mental health care services. Our residents will have the skills to diagnose and treat psychiatric illness in patients of diverse backgrounds as well as the ability to create specific, individual and comprehensive treatment plans.

We accomplish this by:

• Providing learning experiences based on measurable objectives
• Promoting a broad understanding of the role of psychiatry, as it relates to other medical disciplines
• Providing residents with progressive responsibilities, beginning with patient care and progressing to complete patient management
• Developing residents’ teaching skills
• Developing competence in psychiatric treatment, including skills to evaluate the entire range of psychiatrically ill patients and using the currently accepted fundamental modalities of therapy
• Developing professional leadership and management skills
• Fostering lifelong learning in medical education
• Fostering an interest and understanding of psychiatric research
• Preparing residents to meet certification requirements

Program Objectives

• gather accurate, essential information from all sources, including medical interviews, physical examinations, medical records and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures;
• make informed recommendations about preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic options and interventions that are based on clinical judgment, scientific evidence, and patient preference; and
• develop, negotiate and implement effective patient management plans and integration of patient care.
• demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical and social sciences, and the application of their knowledge to patient care.
• apply an open minded, analytical approach to acquiring new knowledge, access and critically evaluate current medical information and scientific evidence and apply this knowledge to clinical problem-solving, clinical decision making and critical thinking.
• demonstrate behaviors that reflect a commitment to continuous professional development, ethical practice, an understanding and sensitivity to diversity and a responsible attitude toward their patients, their profession and society;
• demonstrate respect, compassion, integrity and altruism in relationships with patients, families and colleagues;
• demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to the gender, age, culture, religion, sexual preference, socioeconomic status, beliefs, behaviors and disabilities of patients and professional colleagues; and
• adhere to principles of confidentiality, scientific/academic integrity, and informed consent.
• demonstrate both an understanding of the contexts and systems in which health care is provided, and the ability to apply this knowledge to improve and optimize health care and understand, access and utilize the resources, providers and systems necessary to provide optimal care;
• understand the limitations and opportunities inherent in various practice types and delivery systems, and develop strategies to optimize care for the individual patient;
• apply evidence-based, cost-conscious strategies to prevention, diagnosis and disease management; and
• collaborate with other members of the health care team to assist patients in dealing effectively with complex systems and to improve systematic processes of care.
• be able to use scientific evidence and methods to investigate, evaluate and improve patient care practices;
• identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance knowledge, skills, attitudes and processes of care;
• analyze and evaluate practice experiences and implement strategies to continually improve the quality of patient care;
• develop and maintain a willingness to learn from errors and use errors to improve the system of processes of care; and
• use information technology or other methodologies to access and manage information, support patient care decisions and enhance both patient and physician education.
• demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that enable them to establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, families, and other members of health care teams;
• provide effective and professional consultation to other physicians and health care professionals and sustain therapeutic and ethically sound professional relationships with patients, their families and colleagues;
•  use effective listening, nonverbal, questioning, and narrative skills to communicate with patients and families;
• interact with referring physicians in a respectful, appropriate manner;
• maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records;
• complete evaluations of the attending, staff and rotation; and
• learn to give guidance and instruction to family members regarding the management of patient care.