Several key issues that are particularly relevant to MITs are recruitment, networking and mentorship, service and access to care, and technology. I have ideas for a number of projects designed to address these concerns.
- Mentorship: creating a multidirectional online mentoring system for MITs, in which they would be paired with senior psychiatrists as mentors, as well as medical student mentees through PsychSIGN
- Service: organizing an APA-sponsored program that would allow psychiatrists across specialties and practice settings to donate care on a voluntary basis
- Communication: setting up online forums in which residents can communicate with other MITs from across the country, as well as with practicing members; this could include opportunities like online case conferences and an expert advice function
- Loan Repayment: engaging MITs and the APA's Political Action Committee to lobby Congress to create broader loan repayment programs like those already existing in child psychiatry
- Education: working with the APA to maintain and broaden the current APA fellowship opportunities available to MITs
- Technology: generating apps like interactive practice guidelines and an electronic DSM quick reference to make the APA's expertise more readily accessible