At BIDMC-Harvard, we believe that an essential part of becoming a psychiatrist is the clinical experience that one gains in seeing the myriad ways in which psychopathology is expressed, how it comes to clinical attention, and how it is treated. However, there is also a need to understand all components that make a modern human being, and master the ever-growing number of treatment modalities available. To this end, we have a comprehensive didactic series with lecture series in neuroanatomy, psychopharmacology, neuropsychiatry, human development separated into two modules (child development, and adult development), psychopathology, psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, couples and group therapy, medical psychiatry, social systems and psychiatry, and religion, spirituality and psychiatry.

In addition to the didactics that focus on medical knowledge and patient care, there are also lecture series that focus on professional development. These series include skills on teaching, supervising, critical thinking, and transitioning to career. Additionally, there are regular meetings of "Becoming a Psychiatrist" which is a course designed to help peer development and joys and sorrows of becoming a psychiatrist.

A significant percentage of time in the PGY 4 curriculum is devoted to elective courses from which residents may choose. Subjects vary yearly but have included an advanced psychopathology seminar, advanced forensic psychiatry, applications of psychodynamic theory to general psychiatry, advanced psychodynamic theory, forensic interest seminar, ethics and the law for outpatient psychiatry, the dynamics of leadership, couples and sex therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy with gay men and lesbian women, moral and ethical aspects of mental health practice, and introduction to psychiatric clinical scales and measures.

Finally, each rotation has weekly educational forums that serve to bridge classroom to practice. These take many forms, including journal article discussions, resident-led didactics, case-conferences, and morbidity and mortality conferences.

At BIDMC, we are dedicated to your professional development both inside and outside of the classroom.