Is neuropsychiatry the best field for VA?

[Symmetry11]

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What kind of patients do you see in the VA and which is the best specialty?

 

[northernpsy]

In my experience, most of the patients are older male veterans (though I did see a few females now and then). Unfortunately the rate of substance use in the veteran population is quite high.

Not sure what you mean by best specialty exactly. There is no shortage of jobs for general psychiatrists in the VA system.

 

[erg923]

The age range runs the gamut in the VA. Experience treating trauma, insomnia, and anxiety, and personality disorders is useful

 

[notdeadyet]

The VA runs the gamut. If I had to pick a single psychiatric specialty that was more prevalent for work/need in the VA than compared to other health systems, I'd probably go with geripsych.

But regardless of your interests, you'll have opportunities at the VA (outside of child, in the strictest sense).

 

[Symmetry11]

How is life as a VA psychiatrist? I've heard that it is not run as well as it can be because of state bureaucracy. What exactly does that mean in a practical sense?

 

[erg923]

How is life as a VA psychiatrist? I've heard that it is not run as well as it can be because of state bureaucracy. What exactly does that mean in a practical sense?

I think you mean federal bureaucracy.

It means that if you ask for a lightbulb to be changed in your office, there are 6 steps to getting that done and it takes about a month. True story.

 

[WisNeuro]

It means that if you ask for a lightbulb to be changed in your office, there are 6 steps to getting that done and it takes about a month. True story.

Then you forgot to include the magic words with your written request "adversely affects patient care." That usually gets things bumped up sooner.