Can you briefly describe “a week in the life” on your current rotation?
I’m currently on Consult Liaison and my day begins around 0730. I chart review on both our follow ups and the new ones from overnight. Like in inpatient psychiatry, we do investigative work trying to piece together clues and information provided about our patients. The diverse psychopathology in conjunction with our approach to the biopsychosocial model of health gives way to meaningful and patient-centered care. Around noon we finish rounding on patients and then head for lunch at one of the multiple cafeterias around campus. Towards the end of the day, we work on notes and discuss treatment plans as a team.
I am currently on my child inpatient rotation at Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital! On the child inpatient rotation, you will have the unique experience of being the sole resident on the unit and will work 1-on-1 with the attending. I typically arrive to the unit at 7 AM and will leave around 4-5 PM, but this varies depending on the patient load. In the morning, I will chart review my follow-up patients and will then see them independently. After seeing my follow-up patients, I will go to the attending to see which new patients have been assigned to me and will subsequently interview them independently as well. Typically, once I have seen all of my patients, it is time for Treatment Team which starts at 10AM. After, I will staff the follow-ups and new patients with the attending, and we will formulate a plan together. During the formulation of the plan, the attending will usually take the opportunity to teach so that you understand the clinical reasoning behind the treatment plan. The rest of the time is spent calling collateral and writing notes. On this rotation, you will see a broad spectrum of complex child psychopathology, from acute mood disorders and severe anxiety to early-onset psychosis and trauma-related conditions. You will begin to recognize the importance of recognizing the social determinants of health as they tend to play a critical role in the child”s presentation. The rotation strikes an ideal balance between autonomy, supervision, and teaching.
As per the addiction and forensic psych months, you will get a range of exposures! Everyday was different since every morning and afternoon I would switch between job sites. Ranging from the addiction Gateway services for the adult detox unit and outpatient MAT (Medication- Assisted Treatment with Buprenorphine therapy)and/or mental health appointments. Days were made up of doing admission evaluations and follow ups, Buprenorphine inductions/taper, starting protocols to prevent alcohol/benzo/opioid withdrawals and doing mental health evaluations to determine treatment. During forensics, the day was dependent on our forensics psychologist’s schedule which could include visiting different jails in Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. John’s county, sitting in on hearings while expert opinions were given and even conducting your own interviews. The evaluations were for criminal responsibility for insanity determination, competency to stand to trial, competency to proceed for juveniles, sex offender risk assessments, IQ testing and mitigation interviews. For all the above, you would be able to conduct and document your own interviews under supervision with active feedback. Also, as a PGY2 you would cover call backup sporadically and be available through text or call through the nights that first years were working.
I am on Advanced Inpatient Psychiatry on the UF Jax Psych Unit. I serve in a junior attending role surprising the interns, helping with treatment plans and teaching PA/med students! I get in around 7 am to chart review new patients and the follow up patients. I see the patients separately to the interns then circle back with them to discuss recommendations for treatments and discharge planning. I supervise their interviews, giving feedback while brushing up on psychopharmacology then staff with my attending. Afterwards, I’m helping to calling collateral, manage issues on the unit, and write notes. I usually head home by 4 pm!