Three Behavioral Medicine faculty, a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a MSW social worker promote residents' development of skills and knowledge in the psychosocial aspects of family medicine. Residents are able to obtain active, on-the-spot supervision aimed at improving the physician-patient relationship, diagnosis and management of common psychosocial and behavioral problems and practical counseling skills.

The teaching goals of the Behavioral Medicine Program are achieved through structured didactic experiences, frequent case consultation, videotape supervision, rounds and noon conferences. Depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, marital and family problems, sexual problems, patient adherence to medical regimens, psychosomatic illnesses and chronic illness are some of the areas emphasized in the training. Balint group for first year residents is conducted by behavioral and family physician faculty members.

The formal Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine Rotation occurs longitudinally during the third year and the residents have two half days per month to conduct counseling sessions with their patients. Supervision of these sessions occurs in a group setting with other third year residents, family physician faculty and behavioral faculty. This setting provides the resident with an ideal training environment to improve and consolidate the counseling skills he or she is likely to use in practice.

Residents also receive extensive training in providing comprehensive care, including referral to community agencies. Their regular patients are occasionally visited at home by residents and faculty members, which gives a broader understanding of the patient health, illness and family milieu.

Credits: Photography throughout the brochure by Cheuvront Studios, Gainesville, Florida

The University of Florida does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, programs or activities, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics and any University-administered programs or employment.

Introduction • Program History • Shands @ AGH • Shands @ UF
Family Medicine Center • Behavioral Medicine Program
Family-Centered Perinatal Care Program • Curriculum and Conferences
Application Instructions • Gainesville, Florida and the surrounding area