Advanced Skills in Community Psychiatry

Subject PSYT90062 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 6.25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

July, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 6 weeks x 3.5 hour seminars
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Carol Harvey

Contact

Aris Cologon

E: acologon@unimelb.edu.au
T: +61 3 8344 8975

Subject Overview: The practice of psychiatry in the western world has changed in the last few decades from being based in institutions to within the community. Modern primary care and community mental health settings present different opportunities and challenges for the medical practitioner compared with hospital environments. These include working more effectively with consumers and carers as well as an often complex service system involving multiple agencies. Medical practitioners need to be aware of specific community based treatment strategies and to critically appraise the evidence for these treatments and service models. Recovery processes are also better understood and should be incorporated in treatment plans. Ethical, cultural, socio-economic and political issues all impact on primary care and community psychiatry and practitioners need to be cognizant of these. In this selective, students will gain an in-depth understanding of primary care and community psychiatry as well as acquiring some advanced skills in treatment and service planning and delivery appropriate to these settings.
Objectives:
  • Describe the incidence, prevalence and presentation of psychiatric disorders in primary care
  • Describe the factors affecting treatment outcome (including lifestyle, social, broad cultural and environmental factors)
  • Apply the various biological, social and cultural models to understanding and treating psychiatric disorders in primary care and the community
  • Understand and apply the principles and practice of providing effective mental health treatments in diverse community settings
  • Appraise the various ethical, cultural, socio-economic, practical and political factors influencing service delivery
  • Interpret and disseminate relevant scientific information in primary care and community psychiatry
Assessment: Verbal presentation on a designated topic (40%) and student participation (10%), and 1500 word essay (50%).
Prescribed Texts:

Meadoews G, and Singh B (eds) mental health in Australia: Collaborative Community Practice, Oxford University Press, Melbourne 2001.

Thorneycroft G and Smoker G (eds) Testbook of Community Psychiatry, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2001.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Related Course(s): Master of Psychiatry

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