Diploma in Mental Health –
By Examination (Part-time)
Aim and Scope
of the Course
The School of Medicine & Dentistry offers a six month, part-time programme
leading to the Diploma in Mental Health. The Diploma course is designed for
doctors preparing for a career in Psychiatry, General Practice or General
Medicine both at F2 and early STR level.
Course Tutors
Prof SJ Cooper
Entry
Requirements
Applicants must possess a recognised medical degree and be registered with
the General Medical Council (London or Dublin). Enrolled students are
required to be in clinical posts recognised for General Professional Training for
Psychiatry for at least four months.
Organisation of
the Course
Formal teaching consists of approximately 13 weekly seminars held on
Wednesday afternoons. The lecture programme runs twice each year, once in
each semester, lectures usually commencing in the 2nd week of September or
February. Topics include models of mental disorder, the major categories of
mental illness, psychological and physical methods of treatment. Students
must attend 75% of lectures.
Dr CC Mulholland
Clinical training forms a major component of the course. Each postgraduate
student will be supervised by the Clinical Tutor at his/her base Hospital.
Regular clinical supervision will be provided by Consultants and the Tutor will
ensure that training is provided in Interviewing Skills and Psychiatric
Assessment. Regular attendance at Hospital Case Conferences and
Academic Meetings is expected. The Clinical Tutor will monitor all aspects of
Hospital based training and provide a final report on clinical competence.
The clinical attachment in Psychiatry must be for a minimum of 4 months and
overlap with the Academic Year of the programme of lectures attended.
Assessment
Candidates must achieve a satisfactory Tutor’s assessment and submit two
written Long Cases which the examiners regard as satisfactory before they are
permitted to sit the formal examination. The formal examination consists of a
Multiple Choice Question written paper and an OSCE examination.
Application
Procedure
Postgraduate students intending to enrol should apply by 30th August or 21 st
February depending on which semester of lectures they intend to take.
Application should be made through the on-line application process for
Postgraduate courses. Further information is available from the Division of
Psychiatry & Neuroscience, Whitla Medical Building, QUB (028-90975791/5790). Late applications will not be accepted.