Psychiatry Diagnostics & Therapeutics I

Catalog description

This is the first in a two-part series dedicated to the mastery of clinical knowledge essential to psychiatric physician assistants (PAs) in the prevention, recognition, and appropriate treatment of psychiatric disorders in a multitude of clinical settings , with diverse populations across the patient/client life span. These courses build upon the established competencies of PAs who are exceptionally well-qualified primary care clinicians, scholars, patient educators, collaborators, and patient advocates. Content will include: conducting a comprehensive psychiatric interview and physical/neuro/mental health examination that will allow the accurate formation of a differential diagnosis using established taxonomies (including non -psychiatric disorders) and appropriate diagnostic instruments (laboratory assays, imaging studies, psychological testing, and screening instruments). The courses will include a complete review of the diagnostic criteria from the current diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, epidemiology, neuropathology, evidence-based treatments common comorbid states, the individual and social impact o f these conditions, prognosis and long -term treatment options to optimize wellness and quality of life for patients, their families, and facilitate safe and healthy communities. Team-based collaborative care will be emphasized particularly in the management and coordination of treatment plans for vulnerable individuals with complex mental healthcare needs. Learners will gain considerable expertise in their role as effective member s of an interdisciplinary treatment team dedicated to ensuring the delivery of accessible, high quality, cost-effective, patient-centered mental healthcare. Learners will gain a deeper understanding of psychopharmacology; enabling the customization of treatment selections informed by individual traits: age, sex, body mass, intellectual and physical capacity, philosophical orientation, spiritual practices, ethn ic traditions, and other individual factors; as well as treatment/resource factors: medication side effects, drug monitoring parameters, epidemiological data, the dominant symptoms of the disorder, co-morbidities, and the resources available to the patient. Learners will be able to recognize, prioritize, and appropriately address the unintended side effects of common psychiatric treatment protocols. This course will also explore the ethical and legal issues associated with the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. PMH 720 will focus on the following conditions: Neurodevelopmental disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive -compulsive disorders, trauma-related and stressor -related disorders, dissociative disorders, and fictitious and somatoform disorders. (prereq: PMH 710)