PGY-2 con't, PGY-3, PGY-4

Inpatient Psychiatry Rotation

Continuing in Foundations, PGY-2 begins with either 3 months of inpatient psychiatry or child and adolescent psychiatry, generally followed by either six months of Outpatients or Psychogeriatrics. The goal of the first six months of the year is for the resident to become familiar with basic interviewing, diagnosis, and treatment options for the major psychiatric disorders.

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Rotation

This rotation is split into 3 months child and adolescent psychiatry at either the Alberta Children's Hospital, South Health campus, or The Summit Centre and 3 months adolescent psychiatry at the Foothills Medical Center adolescent units. The emphasis is on understanding childhood disorders in the context of the child's development, family and social system. As well, the resident will acquire skills with individual and family assessments, interviewing and treatment approaches via settings in Inpatients, Consultation Liaison, and various clinics.  Residents will be able to attend outpatient clinics dealing with Community Psychiatry, Mood Disorders, Psychosis, Eating Disorders, and Addictions during their adolescent psychiatry portion.  

Outpatient Psychiatry Rotation

In this 6-month rotation, the resident begins to develop skills in the assessment and treatment of major disorders in an outpatient setting, learning the use of both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for treatment and management. This rotation is offered at all of the adult sites- PLC, FMC, RVH, and SHC, the central clinic at Sheldon Chumir, as well as at a community-based clinic in and out of Calgary. 

Rehabilitative Psychiatry Rotation, AKA Chronic Care

In this 6 month rotation, which can be split into 3 month blocks, the resident will participate in various clinical environments caring for people with severe and persistent mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The emphasis is on evidence-based active rehabilitation in severe and persistent mental illness.  In this context, residents will build skills in individual and family assessments, as well as a knowledge of community resources. Training is available at the downtown Active Community Treatment centre or the Arnika Centre caring for those with developmental disorders.  Foothills Medical Centre psychosis-oriented clinics (Early Psychosis Intervention Program/ Adult Psychosis Program/Bipolar clinic/OCD clinic) as well as Tertiary Care Mood Disorders program typically provides training for multiple residents at any given time.  Residents can also opt to train in a rural setting at the Claresholm Care Centre which is a little over an hour outside of the city and includes the only inpatient wing in the southern Alberta catchment area specifically treating substance use.

Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Rotation

During this 3 month experience, the resident joins a Consultation Liaison team, providing consultation to physicians in other departments and mental health professionals. It is a chance to work with physically ill patients with a range of mental health concerns. Learning about illness adjustment and the association of mental and physical factors in illness are emphasized. Rotations are available at all four adult sites. 

Psychogeriatrics Rotation

This is a 6 month rotation in which the resident builds knowledge and skills in assessing and treating the psychiatric presentations in the elderly. This rotation is based out of the Rockyview Hospital and longterm care facilities in the community. Therefore, residents have opportunities to see patients in Inpatients, Consultation Liaison, Day Hospital, Long Term Care, Rural and Community settings as well as in-home visits.

Addictions

All residents will participate in a one month block in Addictions training using a combination of outpatient clinics or the Claresholm Concurrent Disorder unit

Balance of PGY-2,-3 and -4

The remaining two months in Core stage of training gives the resident an opportunity to pursue elective placements, as well as meeting the requirements for Shared Care (which can either be six months weekly and longitudinal or one solid four week block).  In accordance with Postgraduate policies, residents who have satisfactorily met all Core milestones may train for up to six months out of the Calgary area to pursue other psychiatry or psychiatry-related experiences (including neurology).

Psychotherapy Training

Clinical psychotherapy training is included in core rotations with dedicated time of one-half day per week.  Training begins with four months of skill building sessions with psychiatrists and psychologists specially trained in psychotherapy.  Following this, residents will be supervised in four different modalities:

• 6 months of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is generally tied to the Outpatient rotation, although this is not guaranteed.
• 6 months of either:  Family Therapy or Group Therapy
• 12 months of Psychodynamic therapy