University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Program
Location:
Dallas, TXSpecialty:
Forensic psychiatryACGME Code:
4064840051The UT Southwestern Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship is a distinguished one-year, full-time, ACGME-accredited program located in Dallas, Texas. This program specializes in providing comprehensive academic and practical experiences that encompass various aspects of forensic psychiatry including civil, criminal, correctional, and consultative practices. The goal is to develop fellows' skills to interface effectively and ethically with the legal system.
Upon completion of the fellowship, trainees are expected to gain substantial experience in several key areas such as court-ordered forensic evaluations, treatment of criminal offenders, risk assessments, civil assessments for involuntary treatment, and participation in mental health diversion court clinics. The program is designed to foster essential interactions with attorneys, courts, and private practitioners, thereby enhancing overall competency in forensic psychiatry.
Curriculum
The program includes a robust forensic core curriculum, which is a year-round lecture series focusing on fundamental topics in forensic psychiatry. Key subjects covered include:
- History of forensic psychiatry
- Responsibilities of forensic psychiatrists
- Assessing criminal competence and responsibility
- Civil competencies
- Corrections psychiatry
- Legal regulation of psychiatric practice
- Writing forensic reports
Additional specialized class offerings include:
- Landmark Cases Class: A 90-minute weekly class dedicated to landmark cases in mental health law.
- Research and Scholarship Seminar: This seminar enhances fellows' ability to assess medical and legal literature in forensic psychiatry and engage in scholarly contributions.
- Legal Digest Seminar: This program helps fellows stay abreast of new legal opinions relevant to mental health issues.
Rotations
The fellowship entails diverse rotations across various sites offering a well-rounded forensic psychiatry experience:
Dallas County Jail Health System
Fellows are tasked with conducting suicide risk assessments, competence to stand trial evaluations, and providing expert testimony. They also review police reports and observe court trials.
Terrell State Hospital
As a forensic state hospital, fellows participate in competency restoration processes while receiving one-on-one supervision in forensic psychiatry responsibilities.
Dallas Metrocare Special Needs Offender Program
This outpatient forensic psychiatric service allows fellows to manage clinical cases and observe hearings in various diversion courts.
Parkland Memorial Hospital
Fellows perform dangerousness evaluations and evaluations for civil commitment, as well as participate in quality improvement projects.
Faculty and Supervision
The program boasts a distinguished faculty providing thorough supervision and mentorship to the fellows. This aids fellows in navigating the roles and responsibilities expected of forensic psychiatrists.
Visa Support and Competitiveness
The fellowship offers comprehensive visa support for qualified international medical graduates. It is essential for applicants to ensure they meet the necessary requirements for visa sponsorship, typically H-1B or J-1 visas, allowing them to pursue this rigorous training.
The program tends to attract a competitive pool of applicants. Candidates must have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited psychiatry residency prior to acceptance into the fellowship. Eligibility for Texas medical licensure is also a prerequisite.
Some conditions regarding application requirements include limitations on the years since graduation and restrictions on the number of previously failed STEP exams.
Website
Director
Kehinde A Obikoya, MDProgram Director, Metrocare Site Director, Associate Professor Appointed Since June 2017 -Coordinator
Program
Program Size
Composition
Quality of Life
First year average hours per week:
40hrsFirst year max cons. hours on duty:
8hrsFirst Year Salary:
$80,521First Year Paid Vacation:
-First Year Paid Sick Leave:
-Training
Fellowship Rate:
-Faculty to Residents Ratio:
2.7XResidents career path:
Admission
Min. Step 2 Score:
-Visa Sponsorship:
-YOG Cutoff:
-Location
Dallas, TX
Housing - Rental Prices
Crime - All Violent Offences
Living in Dallas, TX
- Crime Rate and Safety: Dallas has both safe and less safe neighborhoods. It's essential to research the specific area where you plan to live to ensure safety.
- Fun Activities: Dallas offers a diverse range of activities such as museums, parks, sports events, vibrant nightlife, and delicious dining options.
- Climate: Dallas has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Be prepared for high humidity during summer months.
- Races and Population: Dallas is a diverse city with a significant population of Hispanic, African American, and White residents.
- Education: Dallas is home to several universities and colleges, offering educational opportunities to residents.
- Cost of Living: The cost of living in Dallas is relatively affordable compared to other major cities in the U.S. Housing costs can vary depending on the neighborhood.
- Proximity to Bigger Cities: Dallas is approximately a 4-hour drive from Houston and a 3-hour drive from Austin. Both cities offer unique cultural experiences and amenities.
- Pros: Vibrant cultural scene, diverse population, affordable cost of living.
- Cons: Traffic congestion, humid summers, safety concerns in some neighborhoods.
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