Career decisions in the early postresidency years

The author notes that the end of the postresidency military obligation necessitates earlier career decision making for the senior psychiatric resident. This problem is seen to be exacerbated by the eclectic nature of most psychiatric training. Issues for residents include the problem of role models and the "senior resident syndrome," the decision of whether to maintain their university affiliation, the role of private practice, questions of clinical maturity, etc. The author believes that programs must be developed to systematically and objectively present to residents the data that now exist regarding multiple career options.