Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program

Delaware Psychiatry Residency Program Overview

The Delaware Psychiatry Residency Program is a four-year, ACGME-accredited program located within the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) in New Castle, Delaware. Established in 1950, the program emphasizes community psychiatry and public service. Residents train in various clinical settings, including state-operated facilities, community mental health centers, and academic institutions, including partnerships with Thomas Jefferson University and Johns Hopkins University.

This program is designed to equip residents with comprehensive training that integrates practical experience with rigorous academic instruction. A significant aspect of the residency is to ensure residents gain proficient skills in dealing with a diverse range of disorders, especially concerning co-occurring mental illness and substance use conditions.

Curriculum and Rotations

The residency curriculum comprises diverse training rotations across several clinical sites, each providing specialized opportunities to develop clinical competencies:

Key Rotations

• Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC): Residents engage in inpatient, geriatric, and forensic psychiatry rotations. DPC serves as Delaware's only state-operated psychiatric facility, providing treatment for various psychiatric disorders in an acute and extended care setting.
• Elsmere VA Medical Center: Offers a required neurology rotation where residents learn to manage neurological issues within a veteran population.
• Coatesville VA Medical Center: This rotation covers internal medicine and is focused on addressing veterans' unique health needs.
• Terry Children's Psychiatric Center: Provides training specifically in child and adolescent psychiatry, focusing on comprehensive care for children under 13 years old.
• Wilmington Hospital (Christiana Care): Residents participate in emergency psychiatry, family medicine, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) rotations.
• Community Mental Health Clinics: PGY-III residents engage in outpatient experiences that include providing therapy and managing chronic patient care.

Residents also participate in formal didactics weekly, focusing on various subjects including evidence-based psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, and advanced psychopharmacology, which are crucial for developing modern psychiatric practices.

Research and Scholarly Activities

The program endorses active participation in research initiatives. Residents are encouraged to engage in projects that contribute to the advancements in psychiatric practices and treatment methodologies. This includes extensive exposure to trauma-informed care and co-occurring disorder management, with opportunities to present findings at national conferences.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The Delaware Psychiatry Residency Program has several distinguishing features:

• Community Focus: The program is heavily oriented towards community settings, allowing residents to provide treatment in office-based services, street outreach, and publicly-funded units.
• Research Opportunities: Residents can contribute to significant research in areas such as medication utilization and trauma-informed care.
• Expert Faculty: The program faculty includes experienced professionals from various specialties, supporting multidisciplinary learning to enhance residents' education.

Training Sites

Major training sites include:

• Delaware Psychiatric Center: Hosts inpatient and forensic psychiatry residents.
• Community Mental Health Clinics: Provide outpatient experiences with exposure to diverse psychiatric conditions.
• Wilmington Hospital: A significant site for emergency psychiatry rotations.
• Christiana Care Health System: Offers trauma and consultation liaison rotations.

Visa Sponsorship

The Delaware Psychiatry Residency Program does not currently sponsor any visa types and only accepts applications from candidates holding active green cards.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the residency program must meet specific criteria:

• Application is accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
• Completion of medical school with a passing score on USMLE Steps 1, 2 CK, and 2 CS. Step 3 must be passed before applying for all others.
• Preference is given to candidates with U.S. clinical experience in psychiatry.
• International Medical Graduates must have ECFMG certification.

The program emphasizes English proficiency, detailing no strict cut-off for years since graduation from medical school as long as candidates are involved in clinical practice.

Competitiveness

The residency program is competitive, emphasizing a holistic evaluation of applicants. While it welcomes qualified DOs and IMGs, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate significant clinical engagement post-medical education.