Any benefits or downsides to combined psych/neuro?

[Analyzethis]

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I have been thinking lately of applying to a couple psych/neuro programs-U of AZ and NYU have programs I am interested in (not 100 percent sure AZ still offers theirs) but I thought about the FP/Psych thread the other week and someone said you cannot become board certified in psych if you did the combined fp/psych program-is the same true about psych neuro? is it because you do not get 4 years of psych or why?

Also any upsides you guys can think about-I am trying to think of a way it could be used together-I atleast thought if I apply I would have some more months to atleast consider some possiblity of combining the 2 into one prectice but as of now cannot really think of how and it seems more a waste of time-however I want to keep my options open until rank day. Ok appreciate the help!

 

[luke11]

I am having the same problem. I am torn between doing a psych or neuro residency so then thought about the combined programs. I really do not know much about these programs and would be curious to hear from some psych/neuro residents about their experience. I have heard (and this is strictly hearsay) that it is difficult to combine the two in practice and most graduates end up picking one of the specialties to practice. I have also heard that residency is a bit lonely because the programs are so small and you are never completely "accepted" by the other neuro or psych residents as one of their own. However if anyone has very positive experiences in these programs I would love to hear about them....

 

[Analyzethis]

Hey man-not sure where you are applying-one of the programs I was considering was U Arizona-but I called them and they got backto me today and said they JUST decided last week to NOT go on with the program any longer starting this year-so no go there. Most of the neuro/psych programs are dropping off the face of the earth and must be for a reason. Come to think of it, I believe it would be very hard to integrate the 2-I have been really looking into it this week and I cannot find one road to really utlize both where just having one would not be as good. Such as sleep medicine or pain medicine-it might be nice to have both and may be a bit easier to get sleep med if you have the neuro but you can really do it with just neuro or even just pscy in some cases.

The other best argument I heard against doing it-is that you are never really accepted by either residency by the residents so you always feel kind of like you dont fit in either place. The psych residents dont totally accept you and neuro doesnt-only because you dont get to spend as much time wiht each group compared to their own residents.

I dont know i have decided not to do it and just go psych. I cannot think of one field I would want to do that could not be done with psych so for me it is the best choice. But it is an itneresting degree and although I would NOT be crazy about 6 years of training-it would be cool! gluck