University of Virginia Medical Center Program

The Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Program at the University of Virginia is designed to advance the education and clinical skills of fellows in the treatment of elderly patients. This one-year program offers a comprehensive curriculum focusing on varied clinical experiences, research initiatives, and unique supervisory opportunities. The fellowship is primarily divided into key rotations, allowing fellows to gain and enhance competencies in geriatric psychiatry.

Program Structure

The fellowship comprises major rotations centered around local nursing homes, where fellows engage in direct patient care, and an inpatient geriatric unit hosted at the University Hospital. These primary rotations include:

• Nursing Home Rotations: Fellows will independently see patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities around Charlottesville. This rotation occurs two to three mornings per week, followed by discussions with attending physicians to enhance learning and provide structured supervision.
• Inpatient Geriatric Unit: The unit accommodates up to 6 patients, offering fellows the responsibility to supervise residents and act as attending-in-training while managing geriatric inpatients.
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): A rotation where fellows work alongside attending physicians to provide ECT to patients, gaining hands-on experience.
• Adult Protective Services (APS): A unique opportunity for fellows to engage with social service investigations related to elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, occurring once a week for 4 months.
• Geriatric Medicine Clinic: Featuring weekly interactions with internal medicine specialists focusing on medical issues facing the elderly, allowing fellows to integrate knowledge of mental health and geriatric medicine.
• Neurology Clinic: A rotation in which fellows will spend an afternoon each week focusing on neurology cases in the elderly, specifically exploring movement disorders.
• Outpatient Clinic: Consists of weekly rotations in an outpatient setting where fellows treat both new and established patients over the age of 60.

Research and Academic Experience

A significant aspect of the fellowship is the mandatory research project that fellows are required to complete. Many fellows have successfully converted their projects into publication-ready manuscripts or poster presentations at conferences, highlighting their contributions to the field of geriatric psychiatry. Fellows will also participate in a monthly journal club where they present relevant literature to peers and faculty, facilitating academic discourse and critical evaluation skills.

Supervision and Faculty Interaction

Supervision is multi-faceted and integrated into various elements of the fellowship. Fellows regularly engage with faculty across all clinical settings, thereby enriching their understanding through direct and supported patient assessments. Additionally, every fellow receives continuous oversight from a designated geriatric psychiatry faculty member to ensure professional development and enhance clinical skills.

Application Process and Requirements

To be considered for the Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship, applicants must submit several required documents:

• The universal application form.
• Three letters of reference, including one from the training director.
• Copies of medical school transcripts along with the Dean's letter.
• Official copies of USMLE or COMLEX Step scores (steps 1-3).
• A comprehensive personal statement outlining their intentions and goals within the fellowship.

Joint support for J-1 visa applicants is available, ensuring international candidates can afford residency opportunities within the program.

Competitiveness and Candidate Selection

The program actively seeks highly competitive candidates from both MD and DO backgrounds, including international medical graduates. Preference is given to those who have demonstrated a consistent interest in geriatric psychiatry and have achieved favorable scores on licensing examinations upon first attempts. The fellowship prides itself on an inclusive application process that values diversity and a broad range of experiences.

Benefits and Residents' Life

Fellows at the University of Virginia receive a competitive stipend and are entitled to various benefits, including vacation time, health insurance, and educational stipends for conferences and work-related expenses. Programs fostering well-being and team building, such as wellness retreats, further enhance the resident experience by promoting camaraderie and support among fellows.