Clinical rotations and didactic lectures in the first year are designed to equip residents with basic skills in psychiatry to build upon in future training. There are several options for clinical rotations based upon the resident’s interests available in order to meet ACGME training requirements.

Two months of neurology are completed at the VA Medical Center.  Residents have an option to complete one of the two months of neurology at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. 

One month of Internal Medicine Wards is required and is completed at the VA Medical Center.  One month of ER Medicine is completed at the VA ER and the other two months of outpatient medicine are completed in the Ambulatory Care at the VA and at the Women’s Clinic at the VA. The residents have an option to complete one of the outpatient months in the General Pediatric Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. 

Didactics
Didactic time is protected for residents, even while assigned to other departments.  Residents have lunch together every Thursday and then break into small groups for lectures and grand rounds.  In addition to formal lectures, other educational activities include problem based learning, practice PRITE in-service exams, and meetings with faculty.

Call
Residents are required to take approximately 17 calls/year occurring either Friday pm, Saturday am, Saturday pm or Sunday am. These are 12 hour shifts. Residents are also responsible for taking around 10 short calls yearly that occur from 4:30pm – 7pm Monday – Thursday. Optional Arkansas State Hospital call is available.  Residents are paid for these calls beyond their normal salary.

Rotations