Department of Psychiatry

Introduction

The clerkship of the Department of Psychiatry is an six (6) week curriculum designed to help students develop clinical skills and a base of knowledge in psychiatry. The clerkship includes outpatient, inpatient, consultation/liaison and off campus experiences, as well as interactive seminars and lectures. By the end of the clerkship, students should demonstrate the following:

Ability to perform a comprehensive history and physical examination (when appropriate). This includes performance of a mini-mental status examination.
Working knowledge of major psychiatric diagnoses on Axes I, II & III of DSM-IV, and the ability to present a reasoned differential diagnosis, including medical disorders.
Ability to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. This includes an awareness of the biopsychosocial model, and understanding of different therapeutic modalities.
Knowledge of psychopharmacologic agents, including indications and significant adverse effects.
Understanding of and basic competence in identifying psychiatric emergencies, and how these should be handled.
Ability to write clear and thorough psychiatric reports, consult notes and progress notes.
Demonstrate appropriate professional demeanor and ethics and respect for patients' confidentiality.

For more information, contact Viktoria Rile, Clerkship Coord. at 856-757-7853