Psychiatry Clerkship

Catalog Description:  The goal of the Psychiatry Clerkship is to prepare medical students to recognize, diagnose, and care for patients with psychiatric disorders encountered in most medical practices. Students will be assigned to work with interdisciplinary teams which will aid the student in meeting course objectives. Students will be assigned patients and will follow in-hospital. They will attend teaching rounds and a variety of teaching conferences. Each student will be required to view a series of lecture recordings and complete a clinical case report at their individual teaching sites. Case reports include the course and clinical outcome, in addition to a literature review of the crucial issues related to the case.

Canvas Site

Sites: For a description of each clinical site, please click here.

View site addresses by clicking on the site name below or visiting the site codes table.

Required session attendance:

Typical weekly schedule/Delivery Mode:  M-F, 8:00am-5:30pm

Direct patient care:  Yes

Consent Requirement: Open to student scheduling

Course Objectives:  To prepare the medical student to recognize, diagnose, and care for patients with psychiatric disorders encountered in most medical practices.

Specific Objectives:

• Students should be able to independently conduct an organized, comprehensive psychiatric history and thorough mental status exam using appropriate interview techniques and accurately present patient encounters, both verbally and written.
• Students should be able to create a biopsychosocial formulation in the development of comprehensive treatment plans.
• Students should be able to develop and prioritize a differential diagnosis by applying principles of psychopathology and knowledge of medical illnesses.
• Students should be able to describe the major diagnostic tests and procedures used in psychiatry including laboratory tests, neuroimaging tests and psychometrics.
• Students should be able to describe the clinical presentations, course, and prognosis of the following disorders across the lifespan: 
  • Depressive Disorders (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder),
  • Bipolar Disorder and related disorders
  • Neurocognitive Disorders (e.g. Delirium, Dementia),
  • Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders,
  • Anxiety Disorders (e.g., Panic Disorder, GAD, Social Anxiety),
  • Obessive Compulsive Disorder and related disorders
  • Substance Use Disorders,
  • Somatic Symptom and related disorders
  • Child or Adolescent Psychiatric Problems (e.g., ADHD, Conduct Disorder),
  • Personality Disorder (e.g., Borderline, Antisocial, Paranoid),
  • Trauma-Related Disorders (e.g., PTSD), and 
  • Eating Disorders.
• Students should be able to describe the common psychiatric conditions, the indications, contraindications, and side effects of somatic treatments such as pharmacological and electroconvulsive therapies, as well as psychiatric conditions and indications for psychological therapies.
• Students should be able to recognize psychiatric emergencies (e.g., suicidal, violent, or delirious patients; withdrawal syndromes), their management, and apply knowledge of the risk and protective factors when making treatment plans.
• Students should be able to begin to develop rapport with patients and families, and provide patient and family education, patient advocacy, and demonstrate empathy, caring, and honesty in all patient encounters.
• Students should be able to work interprofessionally and communicate effectively with other members of the care delivery system including consultants, other professions and disciplines.
• Students should be able to describe the basic processes of informed consent and judicial commitment in Minnesota and the limits of confidentiality.
• Students should be able to seek and incorporate feedback, engage in self-reflection, and identify gaps in knowledge.
• Students should be able to demonstrate professional behaviors and the highest ethical standards at all times including timeliness, reliability, and respect.

Graded Components:

• Clinical assessment by faculty
• Case report

Grading Scale: P/N

Allow repetition of course: Repetition not allowed

Course equivalency:  INMD 7412 (EPAC), INMD 7352 (HeLIX), INMD 7218 (MetroPAP), INMD 7112 (REACH), INMD 7228 (RPAP), INMD 7312 (VALUE)