The Department of Psychiatry's commitment to education and training
is reflected in the variety of educational programs offered to medical
students at the Health Science Center. An understanding of human behavior,
behavioral manifestations of illness and psychopathology is considered
to be an essential component in the education of all physicians, regardless
of future specialty or practice plans. Accordingly, there are academic
and clinical offerings available to students at all levels of medical
education.
Faculty involvement in medical student teaching is emphasized. All
of the members of the faculty of the Department devote time to teaching
and supervising medical students. Faculty involvement includes teaching
in lecture format in a number of undergraduate courses, participation
in interdisciplinary teaching experiences including Medicine and Society
and clinical correlation exercises, as well as individual supervision
and intensive clinical training during clerkships and electives. Several
faculty serve as advisors to medical students throughout their years
of medical school.
Program offerings
The formal offerings of the Department include both required and elective
courses and clerkships. In addition, interested students are encouraged
to formulate elective courses to address their particular interests
under faculty supervision.
Required course work includes the second year Behavioral Foundations
of Medicine course and the six week Clerkship in Psychiatry.
Behavioral Foundations of Medicine
Behavioral Foundations of Medicine is an eight week course offered
in the spring of the second year of medical school. Under the direction
of Dr. Chetan Haldipur, faculty from the Department of Psychiatry as
well as several related disciplines introduce students to a biopsychosocial
model for understanding human behavior. The course begins with the neurobiological
substrates of behavior, building on students' previous experience in
neuroanatomy, neurobiology and pharmacology. The next section of the
course focuses on psychosocial and psychological influences on behavior,
and on normal human development through the life cycle. The final weeks
are devoted to clinical psychiatry and the major psychiatric disorders.
The course is intended to provide the basic science foundations necessary
for successful participation in the clinical clerkship, as well as preparation
for the USMLE Step I examination.
Clinical Clerkship in Psychiatry
The six week Clinical Clerkship in Psychiatry introduces students to
the practice of psychiatry in a variety of settings. For their primary
assignment students are placed on one of the affiliated inpatient units
(Hutchings, University Hospital, VA), the child psychiatry service,
or the consultation-liaison service. At the clinical site students work
closely with residents and attendings in the evaluation and treatment
of patients. Students also participate in a number of additional clinical
experiences during their clerkship including Psychopharmacology Clinic,
ADHD clinic, case conferences and an observed outpatient interview seminar.
During evenings and weekends on call students have the opportunity to
participate in emergency evaluations at both University Hospital and
the regional Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program. The clinical
experiences are complemented by a rich didactic program including daily
lectures, morning report and Departmental Grand Rounds. Performance
in the Clerkship is assessed through evaluations by the students' supervisors
at their clinical sites, as well as a written and a practical examination.
Acting Internship
After completion of the Clinical Clerkship, students may elect an Acting
Internship on any of the inpatient units. During this advanced rotation,
students are given more independent responsibility for patient care
under direct faculty supervision, and specific areas of interest can
be explored in greater depth. Those students considering a career in
Psychiatry are encouraged to elect an Acting Internship. Acting Internships
are also valuable for those students planning on other specialities
who want additional experience in diagnosing and treating psychiatric
disorders.
Students are welcome to design their own Psychiatry elective in consultation
with a member of the faculty and the Coordinator of Undergraduate Education.
Students interested in research are encouraged to pursue their interests
and are likely to find faculty support and guidance.
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