During the PG-4 year, residents synthesize the knowledge and experience gained in the PG1, 2 and 3 years and build autonomy as psychiatrists. Senior residents expand their skills in teaching psychiatry to medical students and more junior residents, and continue learning about psychiatric theory, treatment and research.
In the PG-4 year, residents select one 12 month or two 6 month, 25 hour per week rotations of significant responsibility in such areas as clinical care, research, administration or teaching. The electives include: Chief Resident at Georgetown University Hospital, Chief Resident at the Veterans' Administration Medical Center, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Student health centers, ambulatory care, community psychiatry or research. These selective experiences emphasize the role of the senior resident as clinician, administrator, teacher and researcher.
In addition to these electives, we are also able to offer a very special opportunity to a PGY-4 resident interested in research: the NIMH Research Track. Over the years the Department of Psychiatry at Georgetown has developed a relationship with the National Institute of Mental Health. Residents particularly interested in research can be assigned a research mentor from the NIMH who will work with the resident throughout their residency. At the end of that resident's fourth year, a PGY-4 Research Fellowship position at NIMH will be kept open for them, and their fourth year will be spent doing research with some of the brightest and cutting-edge minds in the field. The resident participating in the Georgetown University – NIMH Psychiatry Research Track will spend the entire PGY 4 year at NIMH.
In the remaining time of the PGY 4 curriculum, residents further develop skills in outpatient and general psychiatry. Individual adult outpatient psychiatric treatment continues with approximately ten patient hours per week, with continued supervision from faculty. Residents continue their training in group psychotherapy as leaders of outpatient groups and work with families on an outpatient basis. Supervision in all areas of care performed by the resident is a vital element of the program. An advanced seminar and conference program is provided.
Residents have elective time (4-6 hours per week) throughout the fourth year, and may choose from a range of clinical, research or community-based opportunities.
Fourth year residents complete their clinical research or scholarly work project and present to members of their class and the department. Examples of some past research projects may be found under Resident Research .
