Continuity clinics in psychiatric residency training

Objective: This article evaluates the impact of establishing extensive continuity clinics on a psychiatry residency training program. Method: The PGY-2, -3, and -4 residents completed a 15-item attitude survey, and patients were surveyed for their satisfaction. Results: The residency survey revealed increasing satisfaction with the continuity clinics as residents advance in their training. They reported improved learning about the course of mental illness, improvement in the therapeutic alliance with their patients, and only minimal interference with other training experiences. Conclusions: The resident survey revealed increasing satisfaction with the clinics. Residents reported improved learning about the course of mental illness over time and only minimal interference with other training experiences. Continuity clinics are an alternative to the traditional outpatient block assignment.