Adult Residency - Structure
We have developed a structure of training consisting of a series of block rotations integrated with key longitudinal clinical experiences, didactic seminars, and conferences. The administrative structure is divided into three segments consisting of provision of clinical services (which are taught at a variety of geographic sites); acquisition of clinical skills (the bedrock of which is the accessibility of our distinguished faculty); and the didactic curriculum, (which comprises both formal seminars and conferences where we convey the details of our current understanding of psychiatry).
"Structured informality" best describes the spirit of education in the Department of Psychiatry. "Structured," because we feel that good intentions are not sufficient and that the psychiatrist must be grounded in the substantive body of knowledge that modern psychiatry has become. "Informality," because we feel the best way for a resident to learn the information and skills necessary to become a good psychiatrist is by informal, personalized, one-to-one instruction. Accordingly, the tradition of faculty and residents working in tandem on every service has been developed. In this way both the patient and the educational process is better served because residents are able to model themselves after examples set by experienced faculty clinicians. Our faculty is distinguished and, most important, is accessible to our trainees. This closeness forms the core of the Dartmouth education.