Concerns about suicide, dangerousness, and the capacity to care for self are frequent for the population served. In addition to several staff psychiatrists, the ER staff also includes clinical psychologists, medical case workers, and the nursing staff. Residents have the opportunity to assist in the teaching of medical students during this rotation. Residents spend the majority of their clinical time learning consultation principles, approaches to patients, interview techniques, diagnostic evaluation, psychiatric symptoms associated with medical and surgical conditions, psychopharmacology in medically ill patients, and crisis intervention. The patients often pose challenging diagnostic questions and come from a variety of cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
Supervision is provided by several faculty psychiatrists.
Clinical experience is augmented by an active didactic program. Educational opportunities exist for working with medical students. This rotation is currently a mix of inpatient and consultation experience. In addition, training in ECT also occurs during this assigned time. As is usual, educational opportunities exist for working with medical students.