University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Program

The University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Program in Psychiatry at Madison offers a comprehensive residency training program focused on developing highly skilled psychiatrists who are prepared for clinical practice, education, and research. The training program emphasizes an evidence-based approach and is geared towards fostering compassion, resilience, and diversity within its residents.

Program Overview

The psychiatry residency program accepts a total of ten PGY1 residents each year, focusing on general psychiatry over four years. The curriculum is structured into a series of rotations, outpatient experiences, and specialized tracks that allow residents to tailor their training to their individual interests and goals. The program is rooted in providing rigorous clinical education while ensuring a supportive and collegial environment, which is vital for the challenging field of psychiatry.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum comprises several rotations throughout the four years, characterized as follows:

PGY1 Rotations

• Inpatient Psychiatry at UW Hospital and Madison VA Hospital (8 months)
• Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine rotations (2-3 months)
• Community Psychiatry experiences

PGY2-4 Rotations

As residents progress into their second year and beyond, they will experience a mix of inpatient and outpatient settings including:

• Adult Outpatient Psychiatry at the Wisconsin Psychiatric Institute and Clinics (WisPIC)
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry rotations
• Emergency Psychiatry
• Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
• Specialty Training in Quality Improvement
• Electives based on individual interests in various psychiatric domains from child psychiatry to geriatric psychiatry.

Unique Training Tracks

The program distinguishes itself by offering several specialty tracks for residents:

• Clinical Educator Track: Meant for those interested in academic medicine, focusing on educational project development and teaching skills.
• Community Psychiatry Track: Provides intensive training in community mental health settings, particularly for underserved populations.
• Public Health Track: Aimed at delivering mental health care in various settings across Wisconsin, enhancing skills in rural and underserved areas.

Research and Scholarly Activities

Research is an integral part of residency training, with opportunities for residents to engage in various studies focusing on mood disorders, anxiety, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy. Mentorship from experienced faculty ensures that residents can explore research interests and develop their scholarship throughout their training. There is a focus on understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of mental health disorders utilizing innovative techniques such as neuroimaging and translational research.

Clinical and Training Sites

The residency training takes place at multiple locations which include:

• Wisconsin Psychiatric Institute and Clinics (WisPIC): Main clinic for outpatient care, meeting the full spectrum from children to adults.
• University of Wisconsin Hospital: Inpatient care unit providing acute psychiatric services.
• Madison VA Hospital: Offers a unique perspective on veteran’s mental health care.
• Community Clinics: Engage in collaborative care models improving access to mental health services for diverse populations.

Wellness and Support

The program recognizes that residency can be stressful and demanding. To support residents, a variety of wellness programs have been established including T-groups, mentoring programs, and wellness activities. The program fosters a collegial atmosphere, encouraging residents to connect with peers and staff for support.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

For international medical graduates, the program provides visa sponsorship support. The program is noted for its welcoming environment towards DO and IMG candidates, making it a friendly choice for diverse applicants.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the residency are typically required to submit a complete ERAS application and meet eligibility standards, which may include graduation year and passed USMLE or COMLEX scores without excessively failed attempts.