Residents receive frequent assessment of their progress. Formal assessments include monthly written evaluations, the PRITE examination, and two Board-type oral examinations each year. This program believes that one of the most important skills that we can teach a resident is that of accurate self-evaluation. Thus, while formal evaluations are given, we stress the importance of each resident developing a methodology for determining how they are progressing as a house staff member and a physician.

RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY

The Department of Psychiatry is one of the major recipients of government and private research funding within the School of Medicine.  Traditionally, residents have participated in the research and scholarly activities of department by carrying out original research, preparing for and participating in Grand Rounds presentations and Journal Clubs.  While our typical resident is not planning a research career, it is not unusual for a Stony Brook resident to become "turned on" by the idea of research and a research career.   A number of our graduates have gone on to very productive and stimulating research and academic careers.

Research projects may be carried out with clinical faculty or research faculty.  The interested resident has the possibility of engaging in clinical or bench research.  Facilities are at the Health Science Center, University Hospital, Stony Brook University Main Campus, and the Brookhaven National Laboratories.  A partial listing of research mentors includes Andrew Francis (catatonia), Evelyn Bromet (Suffolk County Psychosis Project), Nora Volkow (neuroimaging and substance abuse), Gabrielle Carlson (bipolar disorder), Judith Crowell (attachment theory), Michael Cohen (emergency psychiatry), and Arthur Stone (behavioral medicine).