Undergraduate teaching
Unit Aims/Learning Outcomes
Psychiatry involves the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Psychiatrists use a holistic model as the basis of patient assessment, like many other specialties. During this unit you will build on what you have already learned about the bio psychosocial model introduced in the formal teaching of Whole Person Care Unit (WPC) in Year 1 as a distinct element of the Human Basis of Medicine (HBOM) . In addition psychiatrists provide a medical differential diagnosis, treatment planning and multiple therapeutic and health enhancing interventions. Above all, the development of a caring and therapeutic relationship with patients and learning to have respect for their beliefs and values are essential for the practice of psychiatry, and you will be focusing on this during your clinical attachment.
The aim of this Unit is to enable students to take a psychiatric history and mental state examination and use this information firstly to make a diagnosis, using information from the clinical assessment to justify their preferred and differential diagnoses. Secondly, to indicate, in broad terms, how to manage and treat a person with a psychiatric disorder paying attention to the biological, psychological and social aspects of treatment and tailoring their recommendations in the light of the information they have obtained from the history and mental state examination.
To enquire about Psychiatry teaching, please contact Janet Hickling
Email: j.hickling@bristol.ac.uk
Tel: (0117) 331 14010
Our Unit learning outcomes (see Unit Aims/Learning Objectives in the Psychiatry Student Workbook 2011-12) (559 kb PDF) reflect the relevant guidance in the GMC's Tomorrow's Doctors and Good Medical Practice.
All teaching and learning opportunities encourage students to reflect on their own beliefs about mental illness and demonstrate that respect for patients’ and carers’ perceptions are essential for the practice of psychiatry. We also expect students to be able to practice their communication skills and at the end of the unit be able to communicate effectively with people with a mental health condition.
Teaching and Learning Approaches in Psychiatry
During this Unit students’ will be at one of eight clinical sites. Every student will receive the same ‘core’ introductory lectures, though when these are delivered vary depending on local timetables.
We use a variety of different teaching approaches during this placement. But students are predominantly taught in small groups.
During the clinical attachments students’ learning will be supported by a series of online tutorials. You access these via Blackboard.
We also have responsibilities to make sure that your time with us is enjoyable and productive and we are committed to maintaining the highest quality of teaching and learning. It is the responsibility of the Unit Tutors to monitor the student experience during their placements and they are usually students’ first points of contact.
Eight clinical sites provide the psychiatry teaching and clinical experience for Psychiatry and Ethics Unit. In order to ensure that students experience equity, we have set out standards for good practice (see Code of Good Practice in Teaching and Learning in the Psychiatry Student Workbook 2011-12) (559 kb PDF). These are based on both students and teachers taking responsibilities for learning.
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