Rural and Public Mental Health Track
The Rural and Public Mental Health (RPMH) Track prepares residents to serve in the most underserved areas of our country and to develop expertise in the technology and the health care policy relevant to this work. Throughout the US, and within the state of Texas, rural communities have both profound shortages of psychiatrists and logistical barriers to accessing care. At UTSW, we developed the RPMH Track with the goal of training psychiatrists to serve rural communities and effectively work in the public mental health system. This track provides opportunities in public mental health systems, integrated care paradigms, telepsychiatry and related technologies, and public mental health policy. We hope that our graduates will provide both direct care to rural communities and statewide leadership in rural mental health.
Track Structure
RPMH Track residents will be based in Dallas during their first three postgraduate years (PGY) of training, completing core general program rotations within the UTSW affiliated institutions, including public mental health experiences through Parkland Hospital and Metrocare and psychotherapy training.
- PGY-1
In addition to completing program requirements in medicine and neurology, PGY-1 residents rotate on acute inpatient psychiatry units at both Parkland and Terrell State Hospital and work in the outpatient psychiatry setting at Metrocare. - PGY-2
RPMH Track residents complete two rural outpatient psychiatry rotations at the Bonham VA outpatient clinic during the PGY-2 year, in addition to core psychiatry rotations and electives in Dallas. - PGY-3
The third year is rooted in longitudinal outpatient experiences. Track residents will have rural outpatient electives that are within driving distance of their home base in Dallas. Residents will train within the Parkland Outpatient Clinic, a core experience for all residents, as well as choose from opportunities to provide direct patient care and telepsychiatry to rural communities within a public mental health care system and an insurance-based private practice. - PGY-4
RPMH Track residents will spend time in PGY-4 practicing in a rural setting. These experiences will include inpatient, outpatient, telepsychiatry, and integrated care services. Residents will be housed in rural locations, further integrating them into these communities. RPMH residents will also have the opportunity to work with state public mental health leadership in research and quality improvement projects.
Track Curriculum
In addition to participating in general program didactic curriculum across postgraduate years 1-4, track residents will also receive specialized curriculum focused on public mental health systems, rural communities and psychiatric practice, telepsychiatry, and integrated care.
Our Residents
"There are so many reasons why the Rural and Public Mental Health Track sparked my interest, from the track's willingness to address underserved populations to their support of my growth as a physician that I already felt during my residency interview (especially regarding my interest in LGBTQI+ health care). I knew that I would get the chance to see an important, lesser-known side of psychiatric care if I joined this track. And I have continued to feel that support and willingness to serve in the short time I have been here, which I believe will help shape me into the doctor I want to be."
"My interest in the rural psychiatry track stemmed from my experiences as a medical student working in colonias along the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. There, I witnessed the challenges of working with an impoverished population, reduced rates of health insurance, stigmatization of mental health conditions, and lack of access to referral resources. However, I also realized that the reward of providing reliable and compassionate mental health care to some of the most underresourced individuals in my state far outweighed the challenges and obstacles. Thus, I felt the Rural and Public Mental Health Track at UTSW would provide me the best residency training to serve such rural communities while also learning about public mental health policy, advocacy, and telepsychiatry."
"Serving populations disproportionately impacted by mental illness is most important to me. The Rural and Public Mental Health Track at UT Southwestern is empowering me with the knowledge to not only address the medical concerns of my patients but also tackle and strategize against the significant economic barriers to mental health care. I have witnessed these disparities firsthand; my family lives in a rural town with only one general practitioner within a 60-mile radius and no access to psychiatric care. Their experience led me to pursue an M.B.A. in healthcare management and pursue the RPMH Track. Through this track and all of its rotations, I will learn various approaches to understanding and combating the problems associated with the 'business side of medicine.' I believe the RPMH Track will best prepare me to follow my passions and serve resource-poor communities."
"The Rural and Public Mental Health Track was my top choice because of the focus on the last mile of care. I grew up in a small Texas town, and I empathize when patients have to drive hours to get specialty care. Residents are able to work in many different clinics and sites that provide care to patients in communities outside of the large cities. I believe the RPMH Track also provides an educational experience for residents that will prepare them to work in clinical settings no matter where in the country."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When do residents join the track?
A. Residents apply through ERAS specifically to match into the RPMH Track.
Q. Can residents join the track and still fast track into child psychiatry?
A. Yes, we strongly encourage applicants who wish to practice Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in rural settings to apply for the RPMH Track. As with general program residents who wish to fast track into a CAP fellowship, we will prioritize completion of general program requirements within the first three postgraduate years.
Q. How can I get more information?
A. Contact the track director, Karen Duong, D.O. karen.duong@utsouthwestern.edu
