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Oops should've titled this response to a PM.
I've gotten questions concerning Abnormal Psychology because I mentioned its a good idea to take it in undergrad for those who want to go into psychiatry.
Abnormal Psychology will of course differ somewhat depending on the institution where its taught, but all will have to follow the guidelines of what is required in a psychological curriculum.
Is Abnormal Psychology taught in medical school & residency? Yes and no.
Yes in the sense some of the facets of Abnormal Psychology would be taught in a curriculum in medical school or residency.
No-in the sense that it is not taught in the level of detail & sophistication it could be taught in an undergraduate course specifically for Abnormal Psychology.
Kinda like Reading a novel, or getting the Cliff Notes version of it (which actually isn't a fair analogy because several Cliff Notes I've checked out are quite extensive & detailed).
Let me give you some examples.
In residency, residents during lectures often times don't pay the amount of attention they would to material had it been an undergraduate course. Reason why is because residents aren't given frequent exams that require grading, and they are often recovering from lack of sleep. Often times during a lecture, a resident will get beeped to attend an emergency, and for that reason they'll miss the lecture completely. The thrust is also on treating the patient, which is much more specific & goal focused than learning about something on an academic level. An attending would be much more satisfied with a resident that does the clinical work, than one that is fighting to stay awake in lecture. Abnormal Psychology taught in undergraduate is about learning the subject as a whole without a specific slant. Most residents knowledge wise are more concerned about passing USMLE Step III where psychiatry is of little focus. While I always have encouraged residents know their non-psychiatric medical skills, the pressure to study for Step III often overrides the desire to spend free time studying psychiatry for the sake of psychiatry.
In medical school, knowledge is crammed into the brain, and for that reason, its taught in a manner where the person may not appreciate the true aspects of Abnormal Psychology. While I was in college, I had to read several books in my Abnormal Psychology course on the history of it, the scientific basis of defining abnormal behavior, & what is the definition of "normal" on a philosophical level. During medical school, perhaps only 30 minutes was discussed on this topic, and none of that stuff was tested so the medical students didn't seem to care much.
If you take Abnormal Psychology in undergrad, IMHO, it will probably be a richer educational experience than its equivalent in medical school or residency. Its been a reason why I sometimes ponder that a psychiatric residency education should incorporate some psychology courses such as Social, Abnormal, Endocrinological, & Physiological Psychology. I find this unlikely mostly due to political reasons.
I spent about 3 weeks in undergrad learning of the psychological effects of oxytocin in mammals while taking Psychological Neuroendocrinology, and I am convinced that this hormone, if properly utilized could have psychiatric benefits. I have never seen it focused or discussed much by fellow psychiatrists.
I've gotten questions concerning Abnormal Psychology because I mentioned its a good idea to take it in undergrad for those who want to go into psychiatry.
Abnormal Psychology will of course differ somewhat depending on the institution where its taught, but all will have to follow the guidelines of what is required in a psychological curriculum.
Is Abnormal Psychology taught in medical school & residency? Yes and no.
Yes in the sense some of the facets of Abnormal Psychology would be taught in a curriculum in medical school or residency.
No-in the sense that it is not taught in the level of detail & sophistication it could be taught in an undergraduate course specifically for Abnormal Psychology.
Kinda like Reading a novel, or getting the Cliff Notes version of it (which actually isn't a fair analogy because several Cliff Notes I've checked out are quite extensive & detailed).
Let me give you some examples.
In residency, residents during lectures often times don't pay the amount of attention they would to material had it been an undergraduate course. Reason why is because residents aren't given frequent exams that require grading, and they are often recovering from lack of sleep. Often times during a lecture, a resident will get beeped to attend an emergency, and for that reason they'll miss the lecture completely. The thrust is also on treating the patient, which is much more specific & goal focused than learning about something on an academic level. An attending would be much more satisfied with a resident that does the clinical work, than one that is fighting to stay awake in lecture. Abnormal Psychology taught in undergraduate is about learning the subject as a whole without a specific slant. Most residents knowledge wise are more concerned about passing USMLE Step III where psychiatry is of little focus. While I always have encouraged residents know their non-psychiatric medical skills, the pressure to study for Step III often overrides the desire to spend free time studying psychiatry for the sake of psychiatry.
In medical school, knowledge is crammed into the brain, and for that reason, its taught in a manner where the person may not appreciate the true aspects of Abnormal Psychology. While I was in college, I had to read several books in my Abnormal Psychology course on the history of it, the scientific basis of defining abnormal behavior, & what is the definition of "normal" on a philosophical level. During medical school, perhaps only 30 minutes was discussed on this topic, and none of that stuff was tested so the medical students didn't seem to care much.
If you take Abnormal Psychology in undergrad, IMHO, it will probably be a richer educational experience than its equivalent in medical school or residency. Its been a reason why I sometimes ponder that a psychiatric residency education should incorporate some psychology courses such as Social, Abnormal, Endocrinological, & Physiological Psychology. I find this unlikely mostly due to political reasons.
I spent about 3 weeks in undergrad learning of the psychological effects of oxytocin in mammals while taking Psychological Neuroendocrinology, and I am convinced that this hormone, if properly utilized could have psychiatric benefits. I have never seen it focused or discussed much by fellow psychiatrists.
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