PSY 416 - Psychosomatic Medicine (Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry)

Consultation-Liaison (C-L) Psychiatry is a branch of psychiatry that entails consultation to medically and surgically ill hospitalized patients, education of students and clinicians of all disciplines, and research. The setting for the practice of C-L Psychiatry is the general hospital. Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is a 366 bed general hospital. 4th year medical students will learn key elements in an effective C-L team. Ability to conduct mental status exam and interpret findings in conjunction with laboratory and neuro-imaging; capacity to assess the potential for suicidality, aggression and agitation within a medical-surgical setting; ability to work with and clearly communicate findings and recommendations to non-psychiatric physicians, other health care workers, and families. Usual coverage during duty hours for C-L service pager is 0730-1600. Medical students’ duty hours will be 0730-1700. Rounds are daily from 1300 to 1500 except for Fridays when we round from 1430 to 1600. Students will be exposed to “talking papers” as a form of learning and teaching others during rounds. Talking Papers are a quick reference outline on key points of an oral briefing.