So You Want to Train Psychiatry Residents in Ambulatory Primary Care Settings: A Primer and Guide for Program Directors

Abstract

Providing mental health services in primary care surroundings has potential advantages for both patient care and resident education. On the basis of the growing understanding of learning issues in ambulatory settings and the few descriptions of ambulatory primary care (APC) psychiatry rotations in the literature, the author proposes practical guidelines for consultation/liaison rotations in APC settings. Recommendations and references are given for educational objectives, the role of the resident, supervision and teaching, the format and funding of the rotation, and evaluation. Program directors contemplating new rotations should plan to evaluate and publish their efforts in order to add to our evidence-base in this area.