Elective Years 3 and 4: Medical Surgical Psychiatry

Medical Surgical Psychiatry (Consultation Liaison)

Diversification = R1 Psychiatry

University of Alberta Students: Placement Contact: Dr Sarah Tymchuk  tymchuk@ualberta.ca

Preceptor: Dr Sarah Wong slwong1@ualberta.ca

RAH: Placement Contact: Dr Helen Bondurant PLEASE EMAIL DR BONDURANT BEFORE REQUESTING THE ELECTIVE THROUGH MEDSIS Preceptor: Dr Helen Bondurant helen.bondurant@albertahealthservices.ca

Visiting Canadian Medical Students: visitingelectives@ualberta.ca

When patients are admitted to medical or surgical wards in the general hospital setting there are often co-morbid psychiatric difficulties identified that complicate care. The may include: delirium, dementia, personality disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse problems, psychosocial problems and somatoform disorders.

Knowledge to Gain:

1. Gain an appreciation of psychiatric presentation and management in complex medical and surgical patients. Gain an appreciation of the medical mimics of psychiatric symptoms.
2. Appreciate the dynamic between patients, staff and the healthcare system and their contribution to symptom presentation and interpretation.
3. Recognize the difference between normal and pathological reactions to illness.
4. Appreciate the complex interaction between mind and body.

Skills to acquire:

1. Develop an approach to complicated medical and surgical patients with cobmorbid psychiatric problems.
2. Adapt the general psychiatric history to medical settings
3. Perform a mental status examination, including cognitive screens in a variety of medical settings.

No prerequisites necessary, but it is preferred that medical students have completed their student intern rotation in psychiatry.