Diane Duffy, MD
Tracey Tonsor, PA-C
FC 205 336-278-6848 dduffy2@elon.edu
FC 207 336-278-6852 ttonsor@elon.edu
The Behavioral Medicine rotation is designed to give students practical experience in the diagnosis and management of psychiatric patients in the clinical setting. Students will work to hone their ability to recognize psychiatric diagnoses in both the outpatient and inpatient settings with the goal of applying their knowledge and skills to the many other disciplines of medicine and clinical practice.
1.
To apply the medical content and principles of behavioral medicine to the care of patients.
2.
To provide opportunities for each student to develop the core PA competencies in a supervised behavioral health setting.
3.
To expose each student to an experienced and competent medical provider role model for the care of psychiatric patients.
Upon completion of this course the clinical phase PA students will:
1.
Obtain and document an appropriate history relevant to the behavioral health, utilizing all available information sources, e.g. patient, family, community. (MK, IC, PC; B1.02, B1.03, B2.04,
B2.05, B2.06)
2.
Perform and document appropriate physical examinations for the behavioral medicine patients.
(MK, PC; B1.03, B2.07, B2.08)
3.
List and describe the common diagnoses in behavioral medicine. Demonstrate understanding of epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management including cognitive therapies/counseling strategies in addition to pharmacotherapeutics. (MK, IC; B1.03, B1.07, B2.04, B2.05, B2.07,
B2.08, B2.09, B2.10)
4.
Interpret diagnostic tests, including screening questionnaires, laboratory results and imaging studies. (MK; B1.02, B1.03, B1.07, B2.05, B2.07, B2.08)
5.
Generate and implement an appropriate management plan, including treatment, follow-up plans, patient education and counseling. (MK, IC, PC; B1.07, B2.04, B2.05, B2.09)
6.
Discuss the appropriate use of medication related to such issues as: dosage, indications, contraindications, interactions, complications, metabolism, excretion, and mutagenicity. (MK,
PC; B1.03, B1.07)
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7.
Properly perform/assist and document any procedures under the supervision of the preceptor.
(IC, PC; B1.02, B1.03, B2.04, B2.05, B2.07)
The content of this module will be presented through a variety of methods that include observation and participation at the clinical site, independent reading and participation in online activities developed to guide experiential learning.
Students requiring academic accommodations must follow the “Academic Support” policy in the Elon University DPAS Student Handbook.
All Elon PA students acknowledged their commitment to abide by the Elon Honor
Code by signing the Honor Pledge during orientation. Students will sign an Honor Pledge (electronically or manually) each time an assignment is turned in or an examination is started to reaffirm their complete understanding of the Honor Code of Elon University and their affirmation that their work abides by that Code. (B1.05)
1.
All first year required textbooks
2.
Specific additional textbooks and resources to be determined through collaboration between the student and course directors based on elective discipline.
3.
Ebert, Michael, Loosen, Peter, Nurcombe, Barry, Leckman, James. Current Diagnosis &
Treatment Psychiatry (current edition). McGraw-Hill/Lange
1.
*Moodle: Please check the course site frequently for new announcements, updated schedules, assignments and other course communication.
2.
Practicing physician assistants, physicians, allied health care providers and laboratory teaching aids.
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Percentage
89.50-100
85.50-89.49
79.50-85.49
75.50-79.49
69.50-75.49
Below 69.50
Letter Grade
A
B+
B
C+
C
U
Grade points
4.0
3.3
3.0
2.3
2.0
0
1.
Demonstrate acquisition of a strong medical science knowledge base as demonstrated on the End of
Rotation exam.
2.
Demonstrate satisfactory self-directed learning skills, clinical reasoning skills, interpersonal communication, a commitment to patient-centered care, professionalism and practice-based learning as evidenced by satisfactory performance on the preceptor evaluation.
3.
Demonstrate a commitment to learning and professionalism by actively participating in all clinical activities and exceeding the professional behavior standards and minimum requirements for clinical rotations available in the Elon PA Student Handbook.
Behavioral Medicine Objectives:
1.
History a.
Elicit a history and medical review of symptoms that may present as psychiatric disease b.
Develop a risk factors profile c.
Develop skills that will enable recognition of normal and deviation from normal d.
Evaluate suicidal risk
2.
Perform and interpret the results of a complete mental status examination including: a.
Appearance and behavior b.
Thought process and perceptions i.
Coherency and relevance ii.
Thought content iii.
Perception c.
Cognitive factors i.
Orientation
1.
Attention and concentration
2.
Memory
3.
Information and vocabulary
4.
Abstract reasoning
5.
Judgment
6.
Perception and coordination
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3.
Discuss the normative and expected behaviors in children and be able to recognize abnormal behavior and counsel parents.
4.
Describe the features of common mental health problems in adolescence, including school failure, attention deficit, disordered body image, eating disorders, depression and suicide.
5.
Describe an approach to counseling an adolescent regarding sexual activity, substance abuse, and personal safety.
6.
Interview an adolescent patient, using the HEADSS method, to ask sensitive questions about lifestyle choices that affect health and safety (e.g. sexuality, drug, tobacco and alcohol use) and give appropriate counseling.
7.
Discuss the characteristics of early, mid and late adolescence in the terms of cognitive and psychosocial development.
8.
Describe and discuss the assessment and management of psychiatric emergencies (e.g. suicide, acute psychosis, drug overdose, violent behavior).
9.
Discuss conflicting ethical principles related to the care of the psychiatric/geriatric patient.
10.
Discuss the legal process and implications of committing a patient to a psychiatric hospital/longterm care facility.
11.
Describe and discuss public health issues related to psychiatry/geriatrics, such as: a.
Epidemiology of mental health problems b.
Mental health problems of the homeless c.
Access to care d.
Rural vs. urban location e.
Cultural influences f.
Socioeconomic environment g.
Risk-taking behaviors (e.g. substance abuse, seatbelt and helmet use) h.
Spouse/child/elder abuse i.
Epidemiology of adolescent suicide j.
Geriatric considerations and aging of the population
12.
Discuss the appropriate use of medications in the psychiatric/geriatric patient related to such issues as dosage, indications, contraindications, interactions, complications, metabolism and excretion.
13.
Describe the following common psychiatric/geriatric problems, including pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up:
TOPIC LIST
Mood Disorders
Major depressive disorder
Bipolar disorder
Cyclothymia/dysthymia
Adjustment disorder
Schizophrenia and
Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia
Delusional disorder
Schizoaffective disorder
Anxiety Disorders Schizophreniform disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder Paraphilias and Sexual Dysfunction
Panic disorder
Post-traumatic stress
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder
Sexual aversion disorder
Disorder
Phobic disorders
Personality Disorders
Exhibitionism
Fetishism
Pedophilia
Antisocial
Avoidant
Borderline
Sexual masochism
Voyeurism
Eating Disorders
Substance Abuse Related
Disorders
Alcohol Abuse/dependence
Drug abuse/dependence
Tobacco Abuse/Dependence
Attention Deficit Disorder and
Disruptive Behavior
Disorders
Attention deficit hyperactivity
Disorder
Conduct disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder
Somatoform/Fictitious
Disorders
Somatization disorder
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Dependent
Histrionic/Narcissistic
Obsessive compulsive
Paranoid
Schizoid
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Hypochondriasis
Body dysmorphic disorder
Factitious disorder
Malingering
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