Psychiatry

Pathway Director

Drexel Fourth Year Discipline Based Pathway System

• Pathways Overview
• Psychiatry Pathway Overview (Student Handbook)

Pathway Director's Advice On Commonly Asked Questions

Go to the Drexel Careers Development Center for information on residency planning, match results, FREIDA (lists of residency training programs across the country) and more.

Drexel and Clinical Site Residency Programs

• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Allegheny General Hospital

Drexel Medical Student Interest Group

Psychiatry Interest Group

Specialty Description

Psychiatrists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of emotional, behavioral and addictive disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, cognitive disorder, and adjustment disorders. The psychiatrist is able to understand the biologic, psychological, and social components of illness, and therefore is uniquely prepared to treat the whole person. A psychiatrist is qualified to order diagnostic laboratory tests and to prescribe medications, evaluate, and treat psychological and interpersonal problems, and to intervene with families who are coping with stress, crises, and other problems in living. (Source: The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.)

Time Requirement

See ACGME for current requirements: http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/home/home.asp
The residency training for psychiatry is four years. Up to two years of additional training are required to practice in one of the subspecialty areas.

National Organizations

The national specialty organizations can provide medical students with excellent resources as well as updates on current activities within the field, conferences, and on-going research opportunities and research funding.

• American Psychiatric Association
• Psych Student Interest Group Network

Subspecialties

Residency Application and Match Info*

*The number of applications and programs ranked will vary based on many factors.  Students should seek advice from their Pathway Advisor and/or the Career Development Center in conjunction with the data above.
**Data drawn from 2008 United States Graduates (USG) ERAS Statistics for Residency Specialties. 17Jun2009.
***National Resident Matching Program Characteristics of Matched Seniors, 2006-2008. 17Jun2009.

AAMC - Careers in Medicine

General Information: http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/pub_psychiatry.htm
(Log in for more helpful data to include: Personal Characteristics / Match data / Residency Requirements / Workforce Statistics / Compensation)

Specialty Specific Opportunities

For external research, volunteering, educational, and other opportunities check the Career Development Center's pages on Research and Community, Educational, and Externship Opportunities. Most of these opportunities are summer programs however some are available throughout the year.