DHMCIn Association With
Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Medical Center

Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship

The department of psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School and DHMC offers a one-year or, optional, two-year fellowship in geriatric psychiatry. The fellowship is designed for PGY-5 or PGY-6 residents.

Training for medical leadership

The goal of the fellowship is to prepare the psychiatrist to assume a leadership role in training other health care professionals in the essentials of diagnosis and management of psychiatric problems in the elderly and in treating older patients with complicated comorbid conditions. Training in biological, psychological, and social systems are given equal importance and their integration is emphasized. Fellows become proficient in evaluating and managing patients with dementias, late-life major psychiatric disorders, and acute and chronic medical problems. Interaction with other disciplines including neurology, medicine, neuropsychology, nursing, and social work are an important aspect of the training experience. Didactic training in normal aging, evaluation techniques, and research is provided. Completion of the fellowship prepares the resident to sit for the examination for Added Qualifications in Geriatric Psychiatry offered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. A scholarly or clinical research project is strongly encouraged and may extend into a second year for interested and qualified residents.

Teaching while learning

Teaching activities comprise approximately half of the fellow's time and includes:

Clinical Research Opportunities

Research opportunities include externally funded programs such as treatment effectiveness for depression in primary care, clinical drug trials for patients with Alzheimer's disease, neuroimaging, social support for the medically ill elderly, and health services research.