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By Scray (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Overview:
Psychiatry residency specializes in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, behavioral, addictive, and emotional disorders. It requires a holistic approach in which psychiatrists must understand the biological, psychological, and social components of illness. Psychiatry is unique in that psychiatrists are prepared to treat the whole person. In addition, psychiatrists work with individuals and families who are coping with stress, crises, or other problems, and are able to order diagnostic tests and prescribe medications.
There is a shortage of psychiatrists and this field offers many career opportunities in a variety of work settings from hospitals, community health centers, schools, rehabilitation programs, government, private practice, and much more.
“Psychiatry is the only thing I ever wanted to do. I love learning what goes on in the mind. I like to understand how people think and why they do the things they do. I am a voyeur of the brain. I love the interaction with people and connecting with patients. You have to be a people person to be a Psychiatrist.”
Dr. Alina Gonzalez-Mayo, a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology received her M.D. for the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico. Prior to that she attended the University of Miami where she received her B.A. in History with a minor in Biology and Chemistry. Dr. Gonzalez-Mayo did her residency in Psychiatry at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Staten Island, NY and her residency in Forensic Psychiatry at New York University. Dr. Gonzalez-Mayo is author of the Kaplan Medical Psychiatry lecture notes for Step 2 and Step 3 and a contributor to the Step 1 Behavioral Sciences lecture notes. In addition to teaching, Dr. Gonzalez-May has worked in private practice, for the Veteran’s Administration and for a forensic psychiatric center.
Residency and Post-Residency Training:
Residency training for psychiatry residency programs consists of 4 years.
Beyond residency, several subspecialties and fellowship opportunities are available for an additional 1-2 years of training.
Career Information:
| Average hours worked per week** | 46.5 |
| Average number weeks of vacation* | 3.3 |
| Average resident/fellow compensation* | $50,167 |
Match Data:
| Residents | July 2012 |
| Total number of active residents/fellows* | 4,826 |
| Average number of residents/fellows | 26.2 |
| Average percent female | 54.2% |
| Average percent international medical graduates | 39.1% |
| General program information | Since July 2013 |
| Number of accredited programs*** | 231 |
| Length of accredited training** | 4 years |
| Match Data*** | |
| Number of positions offered | 1,360 |
| Number filled by United States seniors | 681 |
| Number filled by U.S. IMG’s | 219 |
| Number filled by Non-U.S. IMG’s | 186 |
| Percent filled by United States seniors | 50.1% |
| Total positions filled | 1,330 |
| Percent total positions filled | 97.8% |
| Mean USMLE Scores – Matched**** | |
| Step 1 Score (U.S. Seniors/Independents) | 226/219 |
| Step 1 Score (U.S. IMG/Non-U.S. IMG)***** | 217/227 |
| Step 2 CK Score (U.S. Seniors/Independents) | 235/223 |
| Step 2 CK Score (U.S. IMG/Non-U.S. IMG) ***** | 224/233 |
Sources:
*FREIDA Online
** https://www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/list/us/336868/psychiatry.html
***NRMP Results and Data: 2013 Main Residency Match http://www.nrmp.org/match-data/main-residency-match-data/
****NRMP 2011 Charting Outcomes http://www.nrmp.org/match-data/main-residency-match-data/
*****NRMP and ECFMG Charting Outcomes in the Match for International Medical Graduates Revised Jan 2014
Additional resources:
http://www.psychiatry.org
http://www.abpn.com
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