OBJECTIVES
During the training, students should acquire the following competencies, knowledge, and skills, enabling them to address mental health issues effectively and provide holistic care after graduation.
Competencies: The undergraduate must demonstrate:
- Understanding of the concept of mental health and the spectrum of psychiatric disorders.
- Ability to recognize, diagnose, and manage common psychiatric conditions including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and neurocognitive disorders.
- Awareness of the biopsychosocial model of mental health, considering biological, psychological, and social factors in the aetiology and management of psychiatric disorders.
- Understanding the role of family, society, and culture in mental health and illness.
- Ability to conduct psychiatric interviews and mental state examinations to assess psychological and emotional conditions.
- Ability to develop and implement a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with psychiatric disorders, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
- Knowledge of ethical and legal aspects of psychiatric practice, including patient confidentiality and consent.
- Understanding of mental health in the context of various special populations such as children, the elderly, and the mentally challenged.
- Awareness of the mental health resources and services available in the community, including rehabilitation and support systems.
- Knowledge and skills to work in multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with other health professionals for comprehensive patient care.
Knowledge: At the end of the course the student shall be able:
- Describe the principles of psychiatry and the classification of psychiatric disorders.
- Explain the concepts of mental health and mental illness, their societal and cultural implications.
- Discuss the etiology and pathophysiology of common psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders.
- Identify the signs and symptoms of major psychiatric disorders and differentiate between different conditions.
- Understand the role of genetics, neurobiology, environmental factors, and life events in the development of mental health disorders.
- Describe the various diagnostic tools used in psychiatry, including diagnostic interviews, psychological tests, and imaging techniques.
- Discuss the pharmacological treatment options for psychiatric disorders, including psychotropic medications and their side effects.
- Explain the principles of psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, and psychodynamic therapy.
- Understand the importance of social support, rehabilitation, and community mental health services in the management of psychiatric patients.
- Describe the principles of mental health care within the primary healthcare system, including the identification, referral, and management of psychiatric disorders at the primary care level.
- Discuss the ethical and legal aspects of psychiatry, including the rights of mentally ill patients and the involuntary treatment laws.
- Describe the current mental health policies and national mental health programmes in India.
Skills: At the end of the course, the student shall be able to:
- Conduct a comprehensive psychiatric interview and mental state examination to assess mental health.
- Recognize common psychiatric disorders and differentiate them from other medical conditions.
- Formulate a differential diagnosis and treatment plan for patients presenting with psychiatric symptoms.
- Prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications, considering their indications, contraindications, and potential side effects.
- Provide basic psychotherapeutic interventions, including supportive therapy and psychoeducation.
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and caregivers to provide mental health education and support.
- Demonstrate the ability to work with a multidisciplinary team, including psychologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses, to provide holistic care.
- Implement basic psychosocial interventions and community-based mental health care.
- Assess and manage patients with mental health crises, including suicidal ideation and psychiatric emergencies.
- Ensure patient safety and manage risk, including the management of aggressive behavior and involuntary treatment when necessary.
- Provide care to special populations, including children, elderly, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Integrate mental health care into overall health care delivery, ensuring the patient’s physical, psychological, and social needs are addressed.
Integration:
The department shall adopt an integrated approach towards other clinical disciplines, public health services, social services, and mental health institutions to impart training. The teaching of Psychiatry should be aligned and integrated both horizontally and vertically with other subjects in the MBBS curriculum, such as neurology, pharmacology, medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and community medicine, to enhance the understanding of the complex relationship between physical and mental health. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the role of societal, environmental, and cultural factors in the diagnosis and management of psychiatric conditions, ensuring a holistic and community-based approach to mental health care.