What Our Residents are Saying: Psychiatry

Summary

The Reading Hospital - Tower Health Psychiatry Residency Program offers a unique and supportive environment for residents. Many choose the program for its familiarity, growth potential, and strong faculty relationships. Residents enjoy a balanced mix of psychiatry and other medical rotations, providing a comprehensive learning experience. The Reading area itself offers a blend of small-town charm with access to nearby cities and plenty of outdoor activities. Residents share valuable advice about asking for help, staying motivated, and maintaining work-life balance. Overall, the program fosters professional development in a nurturing and dynamic community.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Psychiatry Residency Program at Reading Hospital - Tower Health offers a unique opportunity to join a growing program in its early stages, allowing residents to shape its future.
• 😀 Faculty members are highly supportive, approachable, and dedicated to mentoring residents in both professional and personal aspects of their careers.
• 😀 Residents have a strong, collaborative relationship with their co-residents, creating a positive and enjoyable work environment.
• 😀 The residency includes both on-service and off-service rotations, providing a well-rounded experience in psychiatry as well as exposure to internal medicine, neurology, family medicine, and emergency medicine.
• 😀 The Reading area offers a small-town feel with close proximity to larger cities like New York, Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Baltimore, providing residents with diverse lifestyle options.
• 😀 Outdoor activities are popular in the Reading area, with opportunities for biking, sports like pickleball, and joining local leagues, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
• 😀 The program values mentorship, with residents being assigned both formal and informal mentors to guide them throughout their journey.
• 😀 Faculty members maintain an open-door policy, allowing residents to discuss challenges confidentially and without fear of repercussions.
• 😀 Residents appreciate the cultural fit of the program, with a focus on personal growth, support, and professional development.
• 😀 New residents are encouraged to ask for help when needed, emphasizing that residency is a learning process and that support is always available.
• 😀 The program encourages new residents to maintain balance in their lives, reminding them to enjoy life outside of residency for overall well-being.

Q & A

Why did you choose the Reading Hospital - Tower Health Psychiatry Residency Program?

The resident chose this program because they were familiar with the faculty, facilities, and the area from their time at Drexel as a medical student. They felt comfortable joining the program in its second year and were excited to be part of its growth and development.

What makes the Reading Hospital - Tower Health Psychiatry Residency Program unique?

The residency program is still in its early stages, allowing residents to shape and contribute to its growth. This offers opportunities for residents to help establish the program's culture and direction rather than joining an established, static program.

What is the relationship like between residents and faculty?

Residents have a close-knit relationship with faculty, who are described as supportive, approachable, and willing to offer guidance. There is an open-door policy for discussing challenges, and faculty are dedicated to helping residents maintain a healthy work-life balance.

How do the faculty members contribute to the residency experience?

Faculty members serve as both mentors and educators, providing valuable feedback and advice. They are always available for guidance, whether it’s for professional development, patient care, or personal challenges during rotations.

How are the off-service rotations structured in this program?

The program includes six months of off-service rotations, which consist of two months of internal medicine, two months of neurology, one month of family medicine (inpatient), and one month of emergency medicine. These rotations offer a well-rounded experience, helping residents understand how psychiatry interacts with other medical fields.

What is the overall work environment like at Reading Hospital?

The work environment is described as supportive and collaborative. The residents enjoy their time with their co-residents, faculty, and staff, and the program fosters a culture of learning and growth, making each day enjoyable.

How would you describe the Reading area for someone new to the region?

The Reading area offers a small-town feel with community events and is conveniently located near major cities like New York City, Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Baltimore. It combines rural charm with easy access to urban amenities, providing a balanced lifestyle for residents.

What are some of the recreational activities available in Reading?

The area offers various outdoor activities, including parks, biking, and sports leagues. There are pickleball courts, basketball courts, and plenty of local opportunities for residents to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle.

What advice do you have for incoming residents?

Incoming residents should remember that it’s okay to ask for help when needed. Residency is a learning process, and no one is expected to know everything right away. It’s important to stay motivated, enjoy the learning journey, and maintain a balance by enjoying other aspects of life outside of residency.

What advice would you give to medical students entering residency?

Medical students should focus on doing their best every day and not be too hard on themselves during their first year, as it is often the toughest. It’s important to embrace the learning process, remember that residency is a long journey, and take time to enjoy life outside of work.