PSYH 9543 Community Psychiatry
The Lower Rio Grande Valley in South Texas borders Mexico. This area struggles with issues related to immigration, poverty and lack of access to quality, affordable health care. It is one of the most US medically underserved regions, especially in mental health.The curriculum has been designed to utilize institution and regional strengths. Medical students will participate with residents and faculty in a range of community-based interventions, with underserved populations, and with an emphasis on activities that enhance physician training, for example, focus on prevention and early intervention, continuity patient experiences, communication, integration and collaboration between specialties, and advocacy, research, educational, and administrative projects. The students and residents will work with medical and allied health professional students as well as other specialty trainees at various community based institutions. The focus of the experience will be learning collaborative psychiatric practice working with underserved populations in diverse settings as well as learning about community mental health issues. Communication, culture and population health also will be emphasized.
This elective is opened to 4th year medical students, as long they are in good standing with their institution. Students will participate in several community and clinical activities and have a designated faculty supervisor. They will participate in a hybrid online and in person curriculum that includes resident didactic sessions, online curriculum and exposure to local, regional and national guidelines and resources. Depending on interest, students may also participate in research and additional scholarship activities.
Students will be expected to develop and present to peers and faculty on a relevant topic during their rotation. The course will be open to 2 students at a time.
Prerequisites:
1. Completion of MS3 curriculum
2. Participate in pre-rotation planning for activities.
3. CITI training through UTRGV
4. Completion of several pre-rotation assignments assigned reading about psychiatry and mental health.
Offered
As scheduled