In this thought-provoking episode of the American Journal of Psychiatry – Resident's Journal Podcast, we dive into the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and psychiatric training with a close look at the article "ChatGPT and Psychiatric Documentation: Balancing Trainee Education and Administrative Burden" from the American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal (June 2025).

Psychiatric residents face immense administrative pressures—endless notes, charts, and assessments—that contribute to burnout and eat into valuable learning time. Enter tools like ChatGPT: they promise to generate succinct assessments, draft progress notes, and lighten the load, potentially freeing trainees to focus more on patient care and clinical reasoning.

But is the shortcut worth the cost? The episode explores the article's core tension: while AI can produce reasonable outputs (like a differential diagnosis for a patient grappling with grief-related depression), over-reliance risks undermining the foundational educational value of documentation. Writing assessments forces trainees to analyze patient data, synthesize information, spot knowledge gaps, and justify high-stakes decisions—such as involuntary holds or medication choices—where objective tests are scarce and ethical/legal stakes are high.

Whether you're a resident navigating documentation fatigue, an educator shaping future psychiatrists, or simply curious about how AI is reshaping medicine, this episode asks the big question: Can generative AI ease the burden without eroding the skills that define great psychiatric care?

The background music featured in this episode is "Open Up (Pour Your Spirit Out) (Instrumental Version)" by JOYSPRING, courtesy of Epidemic Sound.

(Used under subscription license – thank you to the artist and Epidemic Sound for this uplifting, royalty-free track!)

In this episode, we dive into a compelling narrative review from the American Journal of Psychiatry Residents' Journal (September 2025) on harm reduction interventions specifically designed for women and gender minority individuals who use drugs.

While traditional harm reduction approaches save lives, this review highlights how gender-responsive programs—addressing overlapping risks like sexual health, violence, stigma, and criminalization—can deliver even stronger outcomes.

Join us as we discuss practical implications for clinicians, the power of meeting people where they are, and why prioritizing gender-specific harm reduction could transform addiction psychiatry. Essential listening for anyone passionate about equity, evidence-based care, and reducing harm in vulnerable communities.

The background music featured in this episode is "Open Up (Pour Your Spirit Out) (Instrumental Version)" by JOYSPRING, courtesy of Epidemic Sound.

(Used under subscription license – thank you to the artist and Epidemic Sound for this uplifting, royalty-free track!)

We interview Dr Lia Gaggino about primary care and psychiatry- especially in the context of child and adolescent psychiatry.

In this episode of the AJP Residents' Journal podcast, we interview Dr. Scott Breitenger, an attending psychiatrist at Mayo Clinic, about the role of visual arts and museum-based education in medical training, exploring its impact on observation skills, empathy, and presence in clinical practice.

This podcast was recorded in May 2023. In this episode, Kierstin speaks with Dr. Alice Medalia about her expertise in cognitive remediation therapy. Dr. Medalia is a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the founding director of the Lieber Recovery Clinic at Columbia Doctors, and Director of Cognitive Health Services for the New York State Office of Mental Health.

In this episode from last academic year (2022-2023), former media editor Matthew Yung, MD interviews Chadrick Lane, MD on the management of psychiatric comorbidity in epilepsy. They discuss general principles in management and the importance of collaborative care.

In this episode from last academic year (2022-2023), former media editor Matthew Yung, MD interviews Deborah Cabaniss, MD and Aaron Reliford, MD on psychodynamic psychotherapy. They define psychodynamic psychotherapy, explain the importance of a psychodynamic formulation in treatment planning, and explore how factors such as bias, culture, and society can influence a formulation.

In this episode, media editor Matthew Yung, MD interviews David Mintz, MD on applying psychodynamic psychopharmacology into clinical practice. They review the fundamental concepts of psychodynamic psychopharmacology and discuss how to approach the engagement and maintenance phases of treatment. Throughout, they share and reflect on their clinical experiences.

In this episode, media editor Matthew Yung, MD interviews Chadrick Lane, MD on psychiatric comorbidity in epilepsy. They discuss the rates of psychiatric disorders in patients with epilepsy and explore this relationship and the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment. They also review psychiatric diagnostic considerations in those with epilepsy including seizure type, semiology, role of medications, and the importance of recognizing medication-resistant epilepsy.

In this episode, media editor Matthew Yung, MD interviews Adam Brenner, MD on the role of humility in psychiatry. They explore the origins and different aspects of humility, examine the potential consequences of being overconfident and lacking humility, and discuss why humility is essential in psychiatry.