ROL Poll! Would appreciate feedback...

[Aurical]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi guys,

So the time is rapidly approaching to turn in our ROL's. I'd love to get some feedback on some programs.

Which program would you rank #1 based on the following: quality of residents/faculty, academic rigor, availability/support of resident research, strength of C&A fellowship and exposure to C&A during residency, "prestige" (as in, ability of graduates to land top-notch fellowships/positions), whether residents are social and enjoy interacting with each other, location, etc.

Besides just voting, I'd love to hear any written comments you guys have about these particular programs.

As for myself, the hardest part is deciding between program quality and location, as there are some excellent programs in less-than-ideal locations. On the other hand, I wonder if I should sacrifice location to get the best education possible (I know, typical concerns).

Anyway.. please vote and respond! Thanks in advance.

P.S. I'd also like to hear any specific thoughts on UCSF. I've heard the program is in "transition" but I'd like to learn more if possible.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

What ARE you hoping to gain from anonymous feedback by perfect strangers who may or may not have actual first-hand experience with any of these programs, let alone enough to make an informed opinion about all of them, much less the knowledge necessary to decide what's right for you. 🙄

 

[Aurical]

Great point. I should specify that I prefer responses/comments from those who have either: a) interviewed at said programs b) worked as a medical student, resident or faculty at these programs

I think that a 1 day interview provides a very narrow window into a program, making it hard to judge the merit of one program compared to another. It is nice to hear feedback from others to reinforce one's own impressions. Sometimes, people may have worked at these programs longer and have greater insight into them that I can gain from such a limited interview day.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Great point. I should specify that I prefer responses/comments from those who have either: a) interviewed at said programs b) worked as a medical student, resident or faculty at these programs

I think that a 1 day interview provides a very narrow window into a program, making it hard to judge the merit of one program compared to another. It is nice to hear feedback from others to reinforce one's own impressions. Sometimes, people may have worked at these programs longer and have greater insight into them that I can gain from such a limited interview day.

I think if you would read through the last couple months of posts on this forum, you'd find much of what you seek.

 

[Aurical]

I actually did read through almost all of the older posts but I was hoping for some comments comparing these specific programs with a focus on the program characteristics I mentioned (eg, child exposure, research support, etc.). Also, many of the best posts I found on these programs were several years old, and the programs have changed significantly in recent years with lots of shifts in PD's, chairmen, key faculty and so on. Not to mention, these types of threads often generate a healthy discussion that might be useful for other applicants considering these programs.

I completely understand your resistence to this form of a thread, especially if it is from someone who hasn't done the research and is blindly asking for advice with the intent of basing their decision on "reputation" or something equally superfluous. But honestly, as a medical student, it can be difficult to get candid information on programs. The PD's at our own schools often have limited or outdated exposure to programs and interview days are helpful but often misleading, as programs put on their best face for applicants. It can be difficult to talk to other interviewees on the trail during an interview, since, of course, we are being interviewed. Thus, the utility of a site such as this, in my mind, is to share information that might otherwise be difficult to obtain.

Of course, if this type of thread irks you the wrong way, definitely avoid it!

Thanks again!

 

[GATORANALYST]

q

 

[whopper]

Best sources of information on a program IMHO are the residents there who are willing to give an objective & honest evaluation of the program--with the good & the bad.

 

[Aurical]

I agree with you. My experience has been, however, that there is a degree of self-selection that occurs. The happy residents seem to be the ones that gravitate to interviews, while the unhappy ones don't. There have been some programs where I got a lukewarm feeling from residents, and those aren't listed here.

 

[Aurical]

Also, if you do vote, could you please leave some comments as to why you would pick that program and what you find attractive about it, versus another? Thanks guys!

 

[rtennis18]

The choices you have listed above on the poll are all excellent choices for training in general psychiatry. I interviewed at a few of the places you listed, and I have to say that my favorite one was the UCLA/NPI program. As someone who is also interested in child psychiatry, I found that their department is very strong in that area. I am also interested in clinical research, and they have so many opportunities for that as well. Plus, they have the brand new Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center with new inpatient psychiatry units so that is a great thing as well. I found that the residents there were probably the most interesting bunch that I met on the interview trail and you would receive excellent training in both biological psychiatry and the various psychotherapy modalities. Hope that helps!

 

[Doc Samson]

The choices you have listed above on the poll are all excellent choices for training in general psychiatry. I interviewed at a few of the places you listed, and I have to say that my favorite one was the UCLA/NPI program. As someone who is also interested in child psychiatry, I found that their department is very strong in that area. I am also interested in clinical research, and they have so many opportunities for that as well. Plus, they have the brand new Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center with new inpatient psychiatry units so that is a great thing as well. I found that the residents there were probably the most interesting bunch that I met on the interview trail and you would receive excellent training in both biological psychiatry and the various psychotherapy modalities. Hope that helps!

Huh? They're naming hospitals after Reagan? What's next - the Tom Cruise Psychopharmacology Unit?

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Huh? They're naming hospitals after Reagan? What's next - the Tom Cruise Psychopharmacology Unit?

Right next door to the Britney & Jamie Lyn Spears Center for Parenting Education.

 

[dianamd]

Huh? They're naming hospitals after Reagan? What's next - the Tom Cruise Psychopharmacology Unit?

Yes, and there is the Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA. As well as the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior (where you are really doing your psych residency).

Despite the irony of Reagan's naming, the hospital complex is giant, and the new hospitals are beautiful and by far the nicest hospitals I saw on the interview trail. They are SO nice -- beautiful.

When Nancy Reagan had some medical problem in California over the summer (where her husband had been governor), guess where she went?

 

[chameleonknight]

Was Reagan against mental health care or something?

 

[nancysinatra]

Reagan was against ALL health care, wasn't he? Didn't he singlehandedly dismantle the public health system in the early 80s and deny we had an AIDS problem until, I don't know, about 1986 which led to America being way behind in AIDS research for years?

And, wasn't he the one who fired striking air traffic controllers? Well, now there is an airport named after him in the city that passes our nation's highest labor laws.

But I believe Nancy Reagan has been very active in Alzheimer's research activism. So maybe she's behind the hospital naming deal or something.

I think hospitals will take money from anyone though, won't they?