Program Objectives

Goal:

The primary goal of the MD course in Psychiatry is to produce a post graduate clinician able to provide health care in the field of Psychiatry:

• To equip the trainee with basic skills in psychiatry and scientific foundations in behavioural sciences.
• Has acquired the competencies pertaining to psychiatry that are required to be practiced in the community and at all levels of health care system.
• Is aware of the contemporary advances and developments in medical sciences as related to mental health.
• Is oriented to principles of research methodology.
• Has acquired skills in educating medical and paramedical professionals.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the relevance of mental health in relation to the health needs of the country.
• Ethical considerations in the teaching and practice of Psychiatry.
• Identify the social, economic, biological and emotional determinants of mental health.
• Identify the environmental causes as determinants of mental health.
• Institute appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative procedures to the mentally ill patient.
• Take detailed history, conduct appropriate ethically valid physical examination and institute appropriate evaluation procedures to make a correct clinical diagnosis.
• Perform relevant investigative and therapeutic procedures for the psychiatric patient.
• Recommend appropriate laboratory and imaging examinations and interpret the results correctly.
• Plan and deliver comprehensive treatment of a psychiatric patient using principles of rational drug therapy.
• Plan rehabilitation of psychiatric patient suffering from chronic illness.
• Clinically manage psychiatric emergencies efficiently.
• Demonstrate empathy and humane approach towards patients and their families and respect their sensibilities.
• Demonstrate communication skills of a high order in explaining management and prognosis, providing counselling and giving health education messages to patients, families and communities.
• Develop appropriate skills to practice evidence-based psychiatry.
•  Demonstrate competence in basic concepts of research methodology and epidemiology.
• Be aware of and take appropriate steps in the implementation of national mental health programs, effectively and responsibly.
• Be aware of the concept of essential drugs and rational use of drugs.
• Be aware of the legal issues in the practice of Psychiatry.
• Be aware of the special requirements in the practice of Child and adolescent Psychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry.

Research: The student should know the basic concepts of research methodology and plan a research project in accordance with ethical principles. S/he should also be able to interpret research findings and apply these in clinical practice. S/he should know how to access and utilize information resources and should have basic knowledge of statistics.

Teaching: S/He should learn the basic methodology of teaching and develop competence in teaching medical/paramedical students, health professionals, members of allied disciplines (e.g., behavioural sciences), law enforcement agencies, families and consumers and members of the public.