It depends on what you're interested in, and your level of training. I encourage PGY-3 and 4 residents to go to APA (in May) at least once. There are also several great board review courses. The IPS meeting is also a great national meeting (in the fall). If you're interested in child psychiatry the AACAP meeting is great. Each specialty group has a an annual meeting (C/L, forensic, geriatric, psychoanalytic), and you should go if you are considering additional training (to network and learn more). If you are interested in or considering an academic career, the AADPRT, Association for Academic Psychiatry and ADMSEP meetings would welcome you as a resident. There are also meetings on CBT, IPT and other psychotherapies that can give you intensive and indepth training you might not be able to get otherwise. In Pittsburgh, we have two national meetings (one on bipolar disorder and the other on schizophrenia) and almost all of the residents attend these at some point. Other big cities will have similar conferences during the year-take the day off and go, without the hassles of travel, lodging and expenses!
