Psychiatry Electives and Selectives

Attendance: Students may not take time off on the start date but must attend check-in and system orientation with Visiting Student Affairs. See the attendance policy for more details.

Location: Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine

Available: July – June

Duration: 2 or 4 weeks, starting any Monday and ending Friday

Number of students per rotation: 1

Prerequisites: Letter of Intent from Chair/Advisor validating applicant's intent to pursue residency in Psychiatry

Overview: The rotation is based in a 12-bed unit taking children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 17. The student will function as an integral member of the treatment team, which includes a board-certified child psychiatrist, a child psychiatry fellow, a general psychiatry resident, a psychologist, a social worker and nursing staff.

The student will participate in rounds and will meet with patients both in group and individually. Close supervision will be given by the child psychiatry fellow and attending.

Problems likely to be encountered in this patient population include mood disorders, substance use disorders, behavioral dyscontrol disorders, reactive attachment disorders, attention disorders, and psychosis. The student will be able to observe both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy with the pre-adult patient, as well as the importance of family interactions.

The student will become progressively proficient and knowledgeable in the following:

1. Demonstrating proficient interview skills appropriate to the pre-adult patient
2. Recognizing psychiatric illness and applying differential diagnosis to children with psychiatric symptoms
3. Discussing medical/legal issues related to psychiatric treatment and hospitalization of children, including consent
4. Explaining professional obligations regarding child abuse

Attendance: Students may not take time off on the start date but must attend check-in and system orientation with Visiting Student Affairs. See the attendance policy for more details.

Location: Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine

Available: July – June

Duration: 2 or 4 weeks, starting any Monday and ending Friday

Number of students per rotation: 1

Prerequisites: Letter of Intent from chair/advisor validating applicant's intent to pursue residency in Psychiatry

Overview: The rotation is based in the Psychiatry Department's outpatient child and adolescent clinic. Students will see children between the ages of 4 and 17 under the close supervision of a child psychiatry fellow and board-certified child psychiatrist.

Students will also interact with patient family members and caretakers. Some exposure to liaison with public social service agencies will occur.

Problems likely to be encountered in this patient population include mood disorders, behavioral dyscontrol disorders, reactive attachment disorders, attention disorders, and learning disabilities. The student will accompany a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist during the course of providing outpatient treatment. A child and adolescent fellow may also be involved in the teaching. The student will be able to observe both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy with the pre-adult patient, as well as the importance of family interactions.

The student will become progressively proficient and knowledgeable in the following:

1. Demonstrating interviewing skills appropriate to the developmental level of the pre-adult patient
2. Recognizing psychiatric illness and recommending differential diagnosis of children with psychiatric symptoms
3. Discussing medical legal issues related to psychiatric treatment and hospitalization of children, including consent
4. Explaining professional obligations regarding child abuse

Attendance: Students may not take time off on the start date but must attend check-in and system orientation with Visiting Student Affairs. See the attendance policy for more details.

Location: Psychitatry & Behavioral Medicine

Available: July – June

Duration: 2 weeks, starting any Monday and ending Friday

Number of students per rotation:  1

Prerequisites:  Letter of Intent from chair/advisor validating applicant’s intent to pursue residency in Psychiatry

Overview: The student will participate in a wide spectrum of treatment and management options in geriatric psychiatry. Most of their time will be spent in an outpatient geriatric medicine and psychiatry clinic with geriatric psychiatry specialists. Some time will be spent going to nursing homes to care for older adults. Limited exposure to geriatric medical/surgical consultation will occur.  Supervision in all venues will be by a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist and to a lesser extent by a geriatric psychiatry fellow. 

Problems likely to be encountered in this patient population include mood and anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, grief, cognitive disorders, end-of-life issues, and adjustment to continuing medical problems. The student will accompany a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist during the course of providing outpatient treatment. A geriatric fellow and/or second-, third- or fourth-year psychiatric resident may also be involved in the teaching.

The age range of the patients treated is usually 60 to over 100. In addition, the student will spend 2 – 3 half-days each week going to long-term care facilities including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care units with the attending geriatric psychiatrist. The student will be able to observe both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy with the geriatric patient, as well as the importance of family support, variations in physiology and metabolism in the aging individual and end-of-life issues.

The student will become progressively proficient and knowledgeable in the following:

1. Appropriately interviewing older adult patients
2. Recognizing psychiatric illnesses, including cognitive disorders, and demonstrating knowledge of assessment, use of screening tools, differential diagnosis and management of older adults with psychiatric symptoms
3. Discussing the interaction of physical and mental health in older adults
4. Discussing medical legal issues related to capacity for medical decision making
5. Demonstrating knowledge of professional obligations regarding elder abuse