Committee Member: Robert A. Zepf, M.D.

Duration: One or two months

Months Offered: July through June

No. of Students: One or two

Prerequisite: Third Year Curriculum plus Dr. Zepf’s permission

Contact Person: Robert A. Zepf, M.D., 1st floor, (phone) 679-2186; (FAX) 679-4077.

DESCRIPTION OF CLERKSHIP

This elective is designed to provide further clinical and didactic experience in working with acutely disturbed patients on the psychiatric unit for students who want more experience and responsibility in this area. This elective will be valuable for students who intend to pursue a career in psychiatry, for those who may be considering such a career alternative, and for those who plan on pursuing other specialties but would like more experience working with psychiatric patients.

Clinical activities include responsibility of the care of psychiatric patients admitted to the psychiatric service at Dempsey Hospital under the supervision of the Faculty Attending Psychiatrist. The responsibilities of the student include regular follow through interviews after initial work-up and evaluation and ongoing responsibilities for each patient’s care. This includes writing orders, preparing the treatment plan, and preparing for discharge and post-hospital treatment. The student would be responsible for 2-3 inpatients at any one time. In addition, the student could have the opportunity to conduct brief follow-up treatment of patients following discharge. Night call duty would be required and discussed in arranging the elective.

Supervision and teaching are an integral part of the activities of the inpatient service at Dempsey Hospital. Day to day supervision will be provided by the Faculty Attending Psychiatrist on the team to which the student is assigned. Students are invited to attend certain other seminars offered to the residents and students during the time of their elective.

Other departmental activities such as weekly Grand Rounds and teaching conferences of other divisions within the department, participation in the emergency service conference, and the opportunity to observe research activities of the department would be available to students during this elective.