What qualities are important in a residency program?

[iqureshi7]

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Besides location, retrospectivelly (for thus who are in residency or practicing now) what qualities/factors did you find most important in a residency program. In other words, what factors are most important in a training program to make you a proficient psychiatrist?


Thank for your help!

 

[PsychMD2100]

Make sure you get a subjective warm and fuzzy when you pick your #1. You're going to spend an awful lot of time at your training program, and you've got to be comfortable there.

Look for a place that has varied patients, and attendings whose competence you trust.

While this can be hotly debated, I personally favor academic teaching hospitals--not because of name per se--because they will often generate and be most comfortable with cutting-edge treatments.

 

[sga430]

go by ur gut feelings

 

[whopper]

Wrote about this several times on the board: check in the search section.

Synopsis:
-Its in an area you like
-the hrs aren't bad
-good teaching
-good mix of patients & environments: voluntary & involuntary unit, crisis center, short term facility, long term facility, urban & rural
-does the program have side benefits?: free food? free housing
-good research (though IMHO clinical vastly outweighs research)
-people are friendly
-staff is good