A comparison of longitudinal and block rotations for a psychiatric resident consultation-liaison experience

Consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLPsych) is a required experience for psychiatry residents. There is considerable variation in the structure of the experience. We sought to compare a longitudinal and block design for a CLPsych residency experience.

This research was conducted in the context of a naturalist transition from a longitudinal CLPsych rotation design to a block rotation design. We surveyed residents from both models regarding their views of the CLPsych psychiatry experience. We also compared the scores on the Psychiatric Resident in Training Examination (PRITE). Lastly, we surveyed physicians who requested and received psychiatric consultations.

Residents trained in the block CLPsych model reported a better education and clinical care compared longitudinal model. They also had better scores on the CLPsych section of the PRITE exam. Physicians receiving psychiatric consultations reported better overall quality of consults in the block model.

It appears that block CL psychiatry experiences may be better than longitudinal ones. Programs should consider this design in psychiatry residency education.