Psychiatry Residency Program

NAME: PSYCHIATRY

COORDINATOR: PROF. GIANLUCA SERAFINI

LOCATION: Psychiatric Clinic – IRCCS San Martino University Hospital and DINOGMI

DURATION: 4 YEARS

ADMISSION: Admission to the Specialization School in Psychiatry is in accordance with current legislation, as outlined in the annual call for applications for medical specialization schools.

Admission of selected candidates follows the ranking order and prioritizes the following categories:

  • Ordinary positions funded by the Ministry
  • Additional positions funded by the Region
  • Additional positions funded by public institutions or entities

Admission to all aforementioned positions is subject to successful completion of the entrance exam and specific ministerial authorization.

TRAINING PROGRAMME: The training programme is detailed in the School's Operational Plan, approved by the School Council in accordance with Ministerial Decree 1.8.2005. It defines the structure of the training activities required to achieve the qualification objectives. Trainees must attend lectures, seminars, and other didactic activities deemed necessary for comprehensive and well-rounded training.

The academic year begins as determined by ministerial decree. Attendance is mandatory. The School Council defines the annual structure of theoretical and practical activities, including rotations across institutions within the training network.

Training within the Network: Trainees conduct their activities according to criteria set by the School Council. To ensure complete and well-rounded professional training, trainees must attend the various services and departments of the training network. The total period spent in affiliated units must not exceed half the total duration of the programme.

Training outside the Network: Training periods abroad are possible, subject to approval by the School Council and formal acceptance by the host institution, for a maximum of 18 months during the programme.

Traineeships are entirely educational and do not substitute the duties of permanent hospital or university staff. They must cover the full scope of structured staff responsibilities, with progressive autonomy and responsibility assigned according to the trainee's professional development.

All training and clinical activities are carried out under the guidance of Tutors, appointed annually by the School Council, based on their scientific qualifications, professional experience, and teaching abilities.

Trainees are required to maintain a digital logbook where all didactic and clinical activities are recorded: planning, topics covered, delivery method, instructors and tutors, progression in autonomy, and rotations. At the end of each academic year, the School Director reviews the logbook and ensures the activities align with the trainee's individual plan.

Mandatory practical activities throughout the programme include:

  • Managing at least 30 patients with diagnoses and prognoses under voluntary or compulsory hospitalization, outpatient or community care, including home visits, and acquiring pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and rehabilitative treatment skills;
  • Following at least 5 psychotherapy cases with supervision throughout the programme;
  • Managing at least 10 psychiatric rehabilitation programmes with the multidisciplinary team across various settings, involving family in the interventions;
  • Participating in at least 3 clinical research studies in accordance with good clinical practice, acquiring competence in research methodology and psychiatric assessment tools, with the ability to contribute to indexed publications;
  • Performing at least 20 consultation-liaison psychiatry interventions under supervision;
  • Managing at least 5 cases of eating disorders;
  • Performing at least 20 emergency interventions under supervision, progressively achieving autonomy;
  • Using psychometric tools in at least 20 patients for diagnostic, cognitive, social functioning, and caregiver burden assessment; developing competence in EEG, neuroimaging, and psychophysiology;
  • Managing at least 3 psychogeriatric cases;
  • Gaining practical experience in at least 5 cases involving ethical and legal psychiatric issues and forensic assessments.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES:

Basic Objectives:

  1. Knowledge of neuroanatomy and physiology related to psychic processes;
  2. Knowledge of biochemical, physiological, endocrinological, and neuroradiological correlates of psychiatric syndromes;
  3. Concepts of genetics and transmission related to mental illness and psychiatric genetic research;
  4. Application of statistics in psychiatric epidemiology and clinical research.

General Training Objectives:

  • Understanding of medical and psychiatric history.

Specific Objectives:

  1. Competence in general psychopathology and clinical features of mental disorders, knowledge of psychiatric assessment tools, differential diagnostics, and treatment planning;
  2. Clinical psychiatry competence across life stages, including crisis and consultation-liaison psychiatry, use of psychopharmacology and biological treatments such as ECT, TMS, and sleep deprivation;
  3. Competence in psychotherapy including theoretical foundations and practice in individual, family, and group therapy;
  4. Competence in social psychiatry, knowledge of rehabilitation methods, legal and ethical aspects of psychiatry including compulsory treatments;
  5. Research competence in clinical and epidemiological psychiatry.

AFFILIATED TRAINING NETWORK STRUCTURES:

  • Giannina Gaslini Institute – Child Neuropsychiatry
  • ASL1 (Imperia) – Integrated Department of Mental Health and Addictions
  • ASL2 (Savona) – Department of Mental Health and Addictions
  • ASL3 (Genoa) – Department of Mental Health and Addictions
  • ASL4 (Chiavari) – Department of Mental Health and Addictions
  • ASL5 (La Spezia) – Department of Mental Health and Addictions
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