BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL DIVISION PSYCHIATRIST - GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION AND DUTIES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Little attention is given in psychiatry residency programs to preparin g graduates to occupy division psychiatry slots. The first part of thi s paper discusses several guidelines: preparations to make before leav ing for a new post; immediate steps to take upon arrival; the place of the Division Mental Health Service in a division structure; and gener al observations about how best to obtain credibility with line soldier s. The second part focuses on general and specific duties of the assig nment, and discusses some common clinical problems. The paper is inten ded to help the new division psychiatrists have an effective and produ ctive tour. Many sections will be applicable to general medical office rs and other health care workers leaving for a division assignment.