Didactics
Trainees directly examine issues of culture and diversity during the core longitudinal Sociocultural Psychiatry seminar series. Topics include culture as a multidimensional construct, exploring our own multidimensional cultural identity, social determinants of psychiatric illness, case discussions stressing DSM cultural formulation, spirituality, the history of mistakes in psychiatry, minority stress theory and intersectionality, sexuality and gender identity, and global psychiatric epidemiology, among many others. The Sociocultural Content Team that develops and modifies these didactics is comprised of both faculty and residents, thereby enabling rapid identification and implementation of changes and updates in response to evolving resident and community interests and needs. Residents are appreciative of both the concrete topic content presented through lectures as well as the opportunity to engage in exploratory conversations during these seminars.
| Sociocultural Didactic Series | Community Psychiatry Didactic Series | |
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This curriculum spans the course of the residency program and is a result of resident-led advocacy and strong support from the faculty and administration. The curriculum has expanded opportunities for residents to spearhead critical issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the department and has facilitated their growth as clinicians and medical educators.
As we aim to make a difference to those who suffer from psychiatric disorders, to develop an understanding of all causes of such disorders, from biology to social determinants, and to help in a meaningful way those who do suffer from these conditions, both in our communities and worldwide, we cannot achieve these goals without being a diverse and inclusive family. It is therefore critical for our department that we expand the diversity of our training programs, of our faculty and of the populations that we serve both locally and globally. ~Maurizio Fava, Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital
Diversity is the richness of human differences. Inclusion is when everyone is valued, engaged, and feels connected. At Massachusetts General Hospital, we believe that because of diversity we will excel; through inclusion we will respect; focused on equity we will serve, heal, educate and innovate. ~Massachusetts General Hospital