Lifespan of a C-L Psychiatrist: Opportunities and Challenges

Background:  Consultation-liaison (CL) psychiatry is an ever-changing subspecialty that attracts psychiatrists with broad interests at the intersection of psychiatry and many areas of medicine in a myriad of clinical settings. The broad spectrum of work and learning environments is precisely what makes mapping a career path in CL psychiatry so challenging. Residents who are considering CL psychiatry fellowship are more likely to place higher value on academics, prestige, and research than those choosing other fellowships.1 Mentorships and resources are vital for early-career (0-10 years) CL psychiatrists. The mid-career (11-20 years) physicians have the highest rates of burnout and dissatisfaction.2   In contrast, advanced-career (more than 20 years) physicians report the highest level of satisfaction2 where mentoring, scholarship, and leadership reaches a satisfactory zenith, then tapers off as they face other transitions, including retirement. We aim to explore the challenges and opportunities of CL psychiatrists across the many distinct stages of “C-L Career Lifespan.”

Approach: This workshop will explore participant and panelist “Fantasy vs Reality” C-L career trajectories in an interactive, transformational, peer-to-peer learning experience. The CL panelists in the early and mid-career will then guide the workshop discussion focused upon opportunities and challenges that the participants and panelists currently face and foresee. The experienced panelists and participants will follow to discuss how their careers have been shaped. All panelists will be sure to highlight diversity, equity, and inclusion experiences that participants and panelists are and have experienced, with the expectation that shared approaches to obstacles and opportunities with serve all participants as they continue in their own career path. Participants and panelists will participate via in-session polling, captured on screen or on large white boards as well as open discussion and Q&A. The panelists will also allow further audience inquiry and sharing of experiences.

Format:
15 min: Polling and

Introduction: ice breaker activity with live polling. Dr. Alice Ing will administrate polling, separating comments into Early, Mid, Advanced, and “other” items for later discussion

Panelists Ho, Bradley, Cozza, and Ahmed: 3 min each to compare their “fantasy” career path with their actual path: Early, Mid, Advanced, Retirement

15 min:Pochu Ho will lead open discussion of early career CL psychiatrists from fellowship training through initial positions and opportunities

15 min:Mark Bradley will lead open discussion of identity formation of CL psychiatrists as they take on leadership roles

15 min:Kelly Cozza will lead open discussion about professional progression and furthering leadership and mentoring opportunities at national and international levels

15 min:Iqbal Ahmed will lead the open discussion for “pulling it all together” to include how to approach retirement, while also highlighting his experiences as a leader on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues

15 min:Full open Q&A with all panelists, while Dr. Ing projects the most common/most discussed items to facilitate summary discussion by participants and panelists.


Becker, et al. Factors Affecting Psychiatry Resident Decision to Pursue Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. J Acad Consult Liaison Psychiatry. 2021;62(1):38-45.
Dyrbye, et al. Physician satisfaction and burnout at different career stages. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013;88(12):1358-67.