Education and Courses

Training Programs

Medical Student and Residency Training

         Medical students and residents are given lectures and seminars in addiction, both in relation to pathogenesis and treatment.  Medical students get lectures in the first and second years and weekly supervised clinical and literature exposure as part of their psychiatry clerkship experience during the third year.  In addition, students with an interest in addiction can take electives in their first, second, and fourth years.

         Students may also participate in the addiction programs of the Walter Reed Society of the School’s Master Scholars Program.  The Division conducts specialized training and apprenticeship within this Society, dedicated to increased humanism and professionalism in medical training.

         In the general psychiatry residency program, seminars and case conferences are conducted in each postgraduate year (Marianne Guschwan, M.D.).  The attempt is made to provide house staff with an understanding of the clinical science underlying addiction and then, in the context of case conferences and clinical supervision, to integrate this material into addressing the needs of patients on their respective training services.  Elective experiences are offered, in particular, in the PGY IV year, both for NYU residents and for selected residents from other training programs.  These experiences may be related to subsequent participation in the PGY V-VI fellowship program.

Academic Track for PGY I-IV Residents Interested in Substance Abuse

At the Time of Application – An applicant interested in the field of substance abuse will be given the brochure describing the Division, and arrangements made for him or her to speak with a faculty member with interests similar to their own.

         For PGY I Residents on Arrival – Selected residents with appropriate experience who have expressed an interest in addictions will be directed to the appropriate faculty member within their first weeks.  A mentor for the resident can be selected to counsel them on how to navigate their residency experience in order to develop their research focus.  The mentor will meet at intervals with the resident to discuss a program and opportunities which would be most relevant to that resident.  In order to assure proper acclimation to the residency, collaboration on initiating a project with a mentor at this point will be undertaken in a limited manner.

         PGY II Year - The resident will be encouraged by the mentor to frame a project area to pursue, and should embark on reviewing relevant literature under supervision.  Visits can be arranged to laboratories and clinical units at NYU and at other facilities to acquaint the resident with the nature of relevant projects in the New York area.  Application can be made for meetings and experiences that the American Psychiatric Association, the American Society of Addiction Medicine or the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry sponsors for residents interested in research.  The resident can discuss with the Residency Director the possibility for tailoring the last two years to allow for flexibility to carry out a project under the supervision of a mentor.

         PGY III Year - The resident will begin to conduct a research project in collaboration with senior faculty or the mentor and appropriate Divisional faculty.  Methodology and statistical supervision may be provided if appropriate.

         PGY IV Year - The resident will bring the project to completion so that data are analyzed and results presented at a scientific meeting and/or submitted for publication.

         PGY V Year - The resident may be eligible to undertake the PGY V year as a subspecialty fellow, which would enable him or her to embark further on academic activities and prepare for an academic career in the field.