UIC Department of Psychiatry

PGY-1 Seminars

In addition to structured didactic experiences while on medicine, pediatrics, and neurology, psychiatry seminars in the first year include the following:

Interviewing Skills 1 and 2

E.Gausche, MD

This seminar introduces the resident to a method of interviewing that allows an integration of subjective and objective observation and historical and phenomenological data. Videotaped interviews made by the resident or the instructor are used to provide feedback.

Introduction to Biological Psychiatry

H. Manev, MD and Research Faculty

This seminar presents an overview of biological psychiatry. The biological basis of common psychiatric disorders and the biological therapies are presented. Research issues are reviewed.

Introduction to Addiction Psychiatry

R. Eiger, MD

A series of one-hour seminars on substance use disorders provides essential knowledge in their assessment and management.

Experiential Process Group

E. Proescher, PhD

This group experience affords the residents an opportunity to explore and process the myriad reactions to the process of transitioning from student to resident to physician. All first-year residents are required to participate in this learning and supportive experience.

Perspectives on the Therapeutic Relationship

H. Dove, MD

Focuses on creating an environment allowing treatment to occur. Emphasis on therapeutic alliance, transference, countertransference, and defensive phenomena that can potentially harm development of the alliance. Covers therapeutic contract, resistance to treatment, and other issues faced by beginning residents treating psychiatric patients.

Emergency Psychiatry

R. Marvin, MD and Clinical Faculty

Survey of emergency psychiatric issues likely to be encountered by beginning residents during on-call situations. Topics include syndromal assessments, consultative process, legal issues, danger assessments, treatment and disposition. Weekly for 8 weeks; 5 hrs each session.

Brain and Behavior

M. Schrift, DO

This seminar is an introduction to the current knowledge regarding how clinically recognizable mental functions are represented and processed in the adult human brain. The goal is for the beginning psychiatry resident to develop an understanding of basic principles of neuropsychiatry through clinical cases manifesting deficits in behavior that are the result of demonstrable brain disease or injury.

Interviewing Skills 3 and 4

J. Nathan, MD

Course focuses on refinement of the clinical interview to specific clinical settings (ER, C/L service). In addition, emphasis is placed on developing a comprehensive case formulation drawing from the biopsychosocial data obtained during the taking of a clinical history regardless of format, time, or setting.

Introduction to Psychopharmacology

G. Baslet, MD

Course reviews basic biochemistry and physiology crucial to understanding pharmacological therapies for psychiatric illnesses. Drug absorption, metabolism and excretion mechanisms are reviewed. Residents are introduced to categories of psychotropics, mechanisms of action, side effect profiles, and efficacy studies.

Cultural Diversity in Psychiatry

S. Nand, MD

This seminar is designed to help clinicians become more sensitive to issues pertaining to cultural diversity. Examples include racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, physical, and mental diversity issues. Discussion focuses on how diversity issues impact the overall mental health care delivery system and implications for the therapeutic alliance between patients and clinicians.

Introduction to Recovery From Mental Illness

L. Razzano, PhD, CPRP

This course is designed to introduce residents to the concepts and issues related to recovery in serious mental illness. It will increase awareness, via dialogues with local community providers, of ways to implement a recovery orientation into clinical practice and the challenges inherent in implementing recovery-focused services.