University of Pennsylvania Health System Program

The University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry offers a fully accredited Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry training program designed for qualified psychiatrists. This program is recognized as one of the most unique and rigorous training experiences in the country. Fellows are exposed to both the General Inpatient Consultation Service and seven Outpatient Subspecialty Clinics encompassing various critical fields such as Solid Organ Transplantation, Women’s Mental Health, Neurology/Epilepsy, Anesthesia/Pain, Oncology, and Gastroenterology 1.

Fellowship training primarily occurs at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), accounting for 75% of the training, while the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center (PVAMC) hosts the remaining 25%. The HUP is a 700-bed acute care facility, complemented by over 150 acute care beds at PVAMC. This dynamic environment allows fellows to collaborate with a diverse cohort of roughly 720 medical students, 1,000 residents, and postdoctoral fellows across various health departments 1.

Program Duration and Compensation

The Fellowship is structured as a one-year, full-time position, with a stipend for the PGY-5 level estimated at $85,532.23. Moreover, fellows receive financial support to attend the Annual Meeting of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, as well as additional compensation details pertaining to overall benefits 1.

Program Goals and Clinical Training

This Fellowship focuses on cultivating clinical, teaching, and scholarly skills essential for success in academic Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry or clinical practice. Fellows are well-equipped to prepare for the ABPN sub-specialty certification exam in Psychosomatic Medicine through their comprehensive training 1.

Fellows gain extensive experience in administrative skills and patient management through their participation in morning and afternoon rounds, under the supervision of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Attendings, medical students, and Psychiatry residents from various training levels. The training encompasses a broad spectrum of psychotherapeutic modalities including Supportive Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Crisis Management, and Motivational Enhancement Therapy 1.

Specialty Consultation Services

The program includes a series of specialty consultation services, with fellows participating in a 4.5-month rotation at each of the following clinics:

• Penn Transplant Institute: Recognized as one of the top ten transplant programs in the U.S., fellows conduct pre-transplant psychiatric evaluations for major solid organ transplant candidates and evaluate potential living donors.
• Ob/Gyn Clinic: This clinic engages fellows in managing psychiatric care for pregnant and postpartum women.
• Pain Management Service: Fellows learn advanced pharmacologic and interventional treatment strategies for complex pain syndromes 1.
• Neurology Rotation: Fellows work with neurologists to manage psychiatric complications arising from neurological illnesses, focusing intensively on Epileptiform Disorders 1.
• Psych-GI Clinic: A unique clinic that specializes in gastrointestinal and psychiatric co-morbidities, offering fellows exposure to integrated care models.
• Abramson Cancer Center: This center, designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides fellows with necessary training to manage psychiatric syndromes in cancer patients and facilitate continuity of care between inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Sleep Disorders Clinic: Training in this clinic prepares fellows to diagnose and treat a wide range of sleep disorders that frequently co-occur with psychiatric illnesses 1.

Longitudinal Training and Academic Development

Fellows provide comprehensive psychiatric care, including medication management and psychotherapy, in a dedicated weekly clinic. This opportunity allows for the continuity of care with inpatients previously managed by fellows, thereby fostering skills to establish a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry practice 1.

Moreover, fellows engage in academic endeavors such as literature reviews, presenting data at the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Meeting, or publishing case reports. A structured academic curriculum is followed throughout the training, emphasizing key concepts in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 1.

Candidates have the chance to partake in research within each specialty clinic, further honing their academic contributions during the fellowship. Additionally, fellows are responsible for supervising medical students and assisting residents, leading didactic sessions that involve evidence-based case discussions during their time at HUP 1.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program offers visa support, specifically for J-1 and H-1B visa categories that fellows may require. The competition for this fellowship is notable due to its rigorous curriculum and comprehensive training; however, the program is welcoming to DO graduates and International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are keen to pursue this specialized training 1.

Application Requirements

To apply for the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship, candidates must have graduated from medical school and completed an accredited psychiatry residency program. Additional specific application requirements may include a maximum number of failed Step examinations and other pertinent qualifications that affirm the candidate's suitability for the program. Interested applicants should review the detailed admissions guidelines provided by the program to ensure compliance 1.