Psychiatry Rotation and Electives in US

[psychobob]

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Hi everyone,

I'm a 4th your med student in Poland and I was wondering about the US psych rotation/electives, more so the electives. How much student-patient contact is there? Are you allowed to interview patients and perform mental status exam along with various other tests?

I'm contemplating whether to say here or go do 3 months in the us. I was just wondering to see which would offer more experience.

I know residencies recommend USCE but is it really important in this field? I know atleast 40% of Psychiatrists are IMGs so it can't be that important.

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks! 🙂

 

[Anasazi23]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 4th your med student in Poland and I was wondering about the US psych rotation/electives, more so the electives. How much student-patient contact is there? Are you allowed to interview patients and perform mental status exam along with various other tests?

I'm contemplating whether to say here or go do 3 months in the us. I was just wondering to see which would offer more experience.

In all of the psych rotations I've done, and in psych residency, I've seen medical students take a standard approach to learning and responsibilities. Namely, they are encouraged (or required) to carry a certain amount of patients, engage with them on a daily basis (on inpatient), present them in rounds, and take secondary or primary responsibility for both the psychiatric and medical care. Of course, the supervising intern or resident has the ultimate responsibility outside of the attending. Students are encouraged to interview the patient with the attending and/or resident, perform a MMSE if necessary and obtain collateral if possible. In other words, they're encouraged to act as "mini residents."

I know residencies recommend USCE but is it really important in this field? I know atleast 40% of Psychiatrists are IMGs so it can't be that important.

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks! 🙂

USCE = US clinical experience I think? I think it's encouraged if not required for at least the more reputable programs.