PGY2

PGY2 Seminars

Seminars in the PGY2 year align with the subspecialty rotations in the PGY2 year and provide an in-depth exposure to these subspecialties, in accord with the time spent on each of the rotations. All require compulsory attendance.

Adult Inpatient Psychiatry/Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) – Leslie Horton MD, PhD, Joseph Vlaskovits MD, Jason Cooper MD

This seven-month rotation (six months inpatient, one-month CSU) affords the opportunity to consider major mental illnesses in depth, including severity needed to require hospitalization. Such illnesses include depressive disorders with prominent suicidal ideation, psychotic disorders with prominent disorganization of thought (and often attendant disorganized behavior), impulse-control/conduct disorders, and substance use disorders, often co-morbid with the aforementioned illnesses. The major elements of psychiatric practice presented in the PGY1 seminars will be covered again in these PGY2 seminars but with a focus on particular illnesses as exemplified by particular patients. In addition to didactic presentations from faculty, residents are asked to present their patients, with citation of relevant medical literature, for discussion in a group process. 40 hours (10 sessions).

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – Deborah Thurber MD, Richard Ha DO

First, a brief overview of normal infant, child, and adolescent physical and psychological development is presented. Second, the diagnosis and management of neurodevelopmental disorders is considered, including inter alia, intellectual disabilities, communication disorders, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, motor disorders, and tic disorders. Third, the manifestations of major mental illness (psychotic, affective, behavioral, and personality disorders) in children and adolescents and special approaches to treatment in these age groups is discussed. Finally, diagnostic, treatment, and legal aspects of child abuse will be presented. 40 hours (10 sessions).

Consultation-Liaison (C/L) Psychiatry – Jason Cooper MD, Joseph Vlaskovits MD

The purpose is to provide an overview of the consultative help that psychiatrists can provide to patients hospitalized on non-psychiatric services (e.g. medicine, surgery, and pediatrics), as well as outpatient referrals of medically ill patients from non-psychiatric clinicians. Psychiatric presentations in medically ill patients are a prime consideration in C/L psychiatry and form the core of this series. A major emphasis in C/L psychiatry is the interaction of the psychiatrist with all members of the clinical team – non-psychiatric physicians, unit nurses, medical social workers, etc.. Awareness of mental health issues among these unit staff often needs to be addressed, and the C/L psychiatrist has a teaching role in this area, as well as having a direct consultant role with the patient. 40 hours (10 sessions).

Geriatric Psychiatry – Joseph Vlaskovits MD, Debra London MD, outside experts as needed

The purpose of this seminar is to provide residents with an in-depth understanding of psychiatric problems of the elderly, including the impact of failing physical health and cognitive decline. Diagnostic approaches to neuropsychiatric problems of the elderly will be emphasized, including specialized neurocognitive testing and brain imaging. Differentiation of dementias (e.g. Alzheimer’s vs frontotemporal dementia), and their behavioral attributes will be considered. Treatments for cognitive decline, both pharmacological and psychological/educational, are discussed. 20 hours (5 sessions).

Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders – Romana Zvereva MD, Tipu Khan MD

The purpose is to provide an overview of classes of drugs of abuse, including opiates, stimulants, hallucinogens, etc. The antecedents (e.g. pain, trauma), diagnosis, and management of both acute intoxication and chronic abuse for each of these classes of drugs is considered. The frequent comorbidities of substance use disorders and other major mental illnesses is presented. Legal aspects discussed include federal and state requirements for prescribing FDA scheduled drugs, DEA enforcement of these requirements, sanctions against persons who are illicit drug users, and iatrogenic contributions to addictions in patients. Abuse of legal substances, including alcohol and marijuana, are considered as well. 20 hours (5 sessions).

Professional Development / Transition to Practice – All faculty

The role of the psychiatrist is considered from the standpoint of both practicing clinician and administrator/team leader in the context of the needs of Ventura County mental health programs. This seminar series is a longitudinal series through all four postgraduate years, with greater focus in the PGY4 year. In later years, post-residency opportunities in public institutions and clinics are discussed in detail, including both clinical and administrative positions. Opportunities and challenges in private practice, academic and educational settings, and careers in basic and clinical research are considered. 20 hours (5 sessions).

PRITE Review Course – All faculty
12 hours (3 sessions).