Medical patients are interviewed by the students who receive constructive criticism on their ability to develop rapport and elicit a history. The importance of psychosocial data in obtaining a complete and meaningful history from medical patients is emphasized. In addition to their clinical assignment, all students also participate in six hours per week of seminars that address central topics, including the psychiatric interview, psychodynamics, personality disorders and childhood psychiatric disorders, and treatment. Some sites provide additional didactic exposure as well. Clinical work is mainly located on inpatient services but also includes at least two hours per week of outpatient work.
All students rotate through the psychiatric emergency room.
Most have some clinical exposure to child psychiatry and some have a consultation- liaison experience as well. Interviews, presentations, and write-ups are evaluated by attendings with regard to completeness, organization, and understanding of clinical issues, as well as interpersonal skills. The department offers a broad range of electives in the fourth year, including subinternships on inpatient units and both clinical and laboratory research experiences.