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University of Nebraska Medical Center

Medical Student Education

Medical student education is a priority for the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Psychiatry faculty. We offer a curriculum that strives for the highest level of education for medical students with instruction in the recognition and treatment of common psychiatric conditions across all ages.

Psychiatry faculty participate as small-group facilitators in the Pre-Clinical Phase I: Communication Skills program that covers such topics as: normal development, family function in illness, competency, end of life decisions and other psychiatric topics related to general medicine. Department faculty are particularly instrumental in the department’s Phase I: Neurosciences Integrated Block that includes neurology, neuroanatomy, psychiatry, and ophthalmology. The psychiatry curriculum within the integrated block includes the psychiatric diagnosis of the major mental disorders with diverse topics, including eating disorders, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. The 8 week block also includes weekly Clinical Skills Days in which the students are exposed to the mental status exam and other neurological exams.

Third-year medical students spend six weeks in the Department of Psychiatry clerkship, assigned to a faculty preceptor as they see inpatient and outpatient psychiatric patients. Seminars help students learn focused interviewing techniques, assessment and treatment.

Fourth-year students are able to select from individualized studies, geropsychiatry, consultation psychiatry, tailored to meet their specific interests and educational goals. Application information for fourth-year electives is obtained through the UNMC School of Medicine Dean’s Office, Sharon J. Hammer, Medical Student Education Director.

UNMC Department of Psychiatry faculty also teach physician’s assistant students and nurse practitioner students from the UNMC College of Medicine enrolled in the psychopathology and psychiatric diagnosis courses.