Forensic Psychiatry Residency

Loma Linda University Forensic Psychiatry Residency at Patton State Hospital

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The forensic rotation at Patton State Hospital occurs during year R-3 and/or R-4.   The forensic rotation is required for all residents, and they are assigned to this rotation for four (4) to six (6) months.   There are four (4) full-time psychiatrists and one (1) half-time psychiatrist on the faculty.  Additionally, several staff psychologists and forensic fellows participate in teaching the basic forensic seminars.

This training includes a weekly 1.5 hour forensic seminar, as well as opportunities to participate in individual and group forensic supervisions.  Residents are assigned both forensic and advanced psychopharmacological consultations, which are directly supervised by assigned faculty members.  Residents may occasionally accompany faculty members to jail, prison, or court to either observe or participate in evaluations or testimony.

Patton State Hospital has a current patient population in excess of twelve hundred (1200) individuals.  Approximately 80% of the patients are male, 20% female.  All patients are adults and come from a variety of social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.  Predominant diagnostic groups at Patton State Hospital include: schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, major depression, delusional disorder, substance dependence, and dementia.  Antisocial and borderline personality disorders also are common.  From a legal perspective, Patton State Hospital's patient population is largely comprised of three groups: prisoners transferred from Department of Corrections' facilities to Patton for stabilization of a psychiatric disorder; inmates transferred from jail for evaluation and treatment of incompetence to stand trial; and, persons found guilty, but not guilty by reason of insanity.  Smaller patient groups at Patton include conservatees, mentally disordered offenders paroled to Patton, and sex offenders.  Prisons served by Patton include both female and male facilities.

Residents average one consultation or evaluation per week and work at Patton two days per week.  Residents are supervised individually by faculty members daily with respect to evaluations and reports in progress.

For further information, contact Michael A. Cummings, M.D. at (909) 425-7337 or, via fax, at (909) 425-7520.