In order to adequately care for patients, all physicians must have basic
knowledge of the human range of behavior and emotional expression. 
Physicians should be able to diagnose mental illness and appropriately treat or
refer patients with these diseases. They should recognize the physical
consequences of stress and anxiety in their patients. Physicians must
appreciate the way in which each patient reacts to illness in order to work
with the patient as an individual. This individualization of the patient enables
the physician to maximize the patients' assets, enhance the doctor-patient
relationship and deliver better and more effective care. Physicians must
recognize behavior patterns which result in maladjustment and discomfort to
the individual to be able to make appropriate referrals to other health care
professionals and agencies. A basic goal of the Department of Psychiatry is to
provide students with the opportunity to gain a firm foundation in psychiatry
which will serve them in whatever fields of medicine they enter. The
Department of Psychiatry hopes to provide a number of experiences in which
each student can achieve the clerkship learning objectives. The student is
responsible for learning; the faculty is responsible for providing the setting,
the example and the guidance.

The clerkship is primarily an inpatient-based experience. Students will work
with patients who are suffering from major mental illnesses and whose lives
are so disrupted by emotional difficulties that they need the protective setting
of the hospital. Students will gain experience in evaluation and diagnosis and
in the use of a variety of treatment modalities, including psychotherapy,
pharmacotherapy and the use of the hospital setting. Students will also work
in the outpatient setting. Working in this setting, students will evaluate,
diagnose and utilize a variety of modes of treatment for patients who can
function in their life setting. Students will have the opportunity to observe
many ways of providing help, including drugs, crisis intervention, short-term
therapy and group therapy. Here they will work as members of a mental
health team and learn the unique assets they and other members have to
offer.

In addition, students will participate in educational activities such as Resource
sessions with expert faculty geared to offer an arena for discussion of specific
topics; Journal Club, Grand Rounds, Resident Conferences and lectures on a
variety of psychiatric topics. There will also be staffings and rounds where
case presentations by students will provide a focus for in-depth discussion
about patient care.

Required Assignments

Student Mentors

Clerkship Staff