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OSU-CHS Clerkship in Psychiatry

Syllabus - CE 9185
I. General Description

The Clerkship in Psychiatry is a course (CE 9185) in the undergraduate medical curriculum that
culminates in the D.O. degree. As part of the core clerkship program, the rotation is offered
during the third year of study and is under the direction of the Department of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Sciences. Successful completion of this course is a requirement for graduation.

This rotation is a four-week experience, during which time the student, under supervision of a
psychiatrist serving as a preceptor, extends his/her knowledge of clinical psychiatry and develops
psychiatric skills. Students advance their base of knowledge in pursuit of answers to questions
that arise during patient care through assigned readings and interactions with the preceptor(s) and
other faculty members. Skill development occurs as students apply knowledge from pre-clinical
course work to those clinical problems encountered while performing clerkship activities.

Required learning material and activities for all clerkship students is assigned by the Course
Coordinator. Individual rotation sites may have additional specific readings or activities as part
of their educational experience.

The Course Coordinator is responsible for the overall organization and conduct of the course. A
Preceptor who is an Attending Physician at each training site is responsible for the organization
of that site’s training activities and supervision of students’ activities. Attending Physicians may
be Medical Residents in Psychiatry or a practicing Psychiatrist at the site. The roles of Preceptor
and Attending Physician may be carried out by the same or by different individuals who may be
referred to as Site Faculty.

II. Prerequisites

The first four semesters of the required OSU-COM curriculum must be successfully completed
prior to starting clerkship rotations as well as any other requirements which may be imposed on
the student by the College.

III. Electives

Students should successfully complete their required Psychiatry clerkship (CE 9185) before
completing any electives in psychiatry. Electives must be approved in advance using the
appropriate elective rotation form from the Department of Clinical Education. Site evaluations
and grades for electives are all handled by the Department of Clinical Education.

 Students who wish to complete an elective at an OSU psychiatry clinic (OSUMC consult
liaison service, OSU outpatient Behavioral Medicine clinic, TCBH inpatient psychiatry,
or 12&12 substance abuse treatment facility) should contact Dr. Ford—not individual
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preceptors—about availability. Dr. Ford manages the training schedule (clerkship,

elective, audition) for all OSU psychiatry sites.
 For psychiatry elective at any non-OSU clinic, students should contact their desired
preceptor/rotation site directly.

IV. Course Objectives

Certain clinical psychiatric skills are fundamental to the diagnosis and management of mental
health problems. This rotation is oriented toward helping the student increase his/her readiness to
perform the following basic skills.

A. Observation and/or supervised experience in conducting diagnostic interviews, including

activities such as but not limited to:

 Responding to a patient’s concerns in an empathic manner,

 Obtaining relevant psychosocial and medical histories, and
 Performing a Mental Status Exam.

B. Observation and/or supervised experience in formulating and clarifying diagnostic

findings and treatment recommendations involving but not limited to:

 Summarizing medical and psychosocial histories,

 Describing physical exam and lab results,
 Organizing interview data and treatment recommendations into comprehensive,
integrated, cogent case presentations, and
 Explaining findings to the patient, family, and/or other health care professionals.

C. Observation and/or supervised experience in interprofessional collaborative practice.

Working with various disciplines in the treatment team, including but not limited to:

 Researching medical tests and diagnostic procedures,

 Searching for information about medications and other somatic treatments,
 Conducting diagnostic and/or treatment interviews, as directed by the attending
physician,
 Documenting evaluation and treatment procedures, involving duties such as recording
results of diagnostic interviews, lab studies, and/or treatment plans in a timely way
according to the medical records protocols of the rotation site, and
 Sharing information and developing intervention plans with other members of the
treatment team, including the patient and family.

D. Structured didactic exposure and evaluation covering the spectrum of general psychiatric
care.
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V. Curriculum

The instructional program consists of the following:

 Observe clinical interviews conducted by the Preceptor and/or Site Faculty,

 Perform clinical activities under direct supervision,
 Participate in lectures or directed discussions (i.e., one-on-one instruction) with the
Preceptor and/or Site Faculty - Preceptors may require students to attend case
conferences, lectures, and other activities at their clinical location,
 Attend at least one (required) 12-step meeting (e.g., Open Meetings of Alcoholics
Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Al-Anon, Gamblers
Anonymous, etc.). Each student should discuss experiences in this meeting with his/her
attending Site Faculty. Site Faculty will provide information about how a student may
locate a 12-step meeting as described above.
 Read assigned course material and complete assigned quizzes, test bank questions, and
other activities as assigned. The schedule for course activities required of all students is
in the LCMS+ Psychiatry Clerkship course page. Course activities include:
1. Daily review topics, which include online lectures and readings. Students are
required to access and review lecture materials presented by the department as
part of their preparation for the COMAT and future board examinations.
Materials for review are to be completed prior to the end of the rotation. Students
should follow the recommended schedule if they wish to be considered for
Honors in psychiatry.
2. Weekly quizzes, administered via ExamSoft. Students are required to take a set
of weekly quizzes on ExamSoft as part of their preparation for the COMAT and
future board examinations. Materials to review are to be completed prior to
beginning each weekly quiz for best performance. Quizzes consist of a pre-test
and test. The pre-test score does not count and is designed to give you the
opportunity to test your knowledge and see if you have weak areas for review.
Each quiz will contain 10-15 questions. Each set of quizzes will be available
through ExamSoft for one week during the rotation. Completing all quizzes with an
average score of 75% or higher is considered passing. Completing all quizzes with an
average score of 85% or higher will meet one of the criteria for honors.
3. Paced review of TrueLearn Combank questions. It is required to complete True
Learn COMAT Psychiatry questions and True Learn COMLEX Level 2 CE
Psychiatry questions by the end of the rotation. There are approximately 125
True Learn COMAT Psychiatry questions in the question bank. There are
approximately 200 TrueLearn COMLEX Level 2 CE Psychiatry questions in the
question bank. Although it is not required to have a certain number of questions
completed each day, it is strongly suggested to complete a set number of True
Learn COMLEX Level 2 CE questions every day to spend sufficient time
studying the vignettes, BEST answer, and critiques. A schedule of 13 questions
per day, including weekends, would get you through the entire test bank before
COMAT prep day.
 Perform other assigned duties that are designed to assist the student in learning to
perform core psychiatric skills with increased proficiency.
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A. Required course materials:

 Black, D.W. & Andreasen, N.C. (2014). Introductory Textbook of Psychiatry
(6th ed.) Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press. [This text is
recommended by NBOME for COMAT in Psychiatry preparation.] Copies of
this book are available for checkout from the OSU-CHS library. There is
currently no electronic access for this book.
 Toy, E.C. & Klamen, D. (2016). Case Files: Psychiatry (5th ed.). New York:
McGraw Hill. There is electronic access for this book through the OSU-CHS
library. Print copies are also available for checkout.
 TrueLearn Psychiatry question bank, access available through the library.
 Additional readings may be assigned by the College or the Department in
preparation for the COMAT Exam.
B. Supplemental material:
The following are recommended resources for increasing depth and breadth of
knowledge as well as effectiveness of skills and are available in electronic and print
form through the library:
 Sadock, BJ, Sadock, VA, & Ruiz, P. (11th ed). (2014). Kaplan and Sadock’s
Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical Psychiatry. Washington,
D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.
 Carlat, D.J. (2012). The Psychiatric Interview: A Practical Guide (3rd ed.)
Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins.
 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth-Edition (DSM-
5). (2013). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.

VI. Student Responsibilities

A. Student responsibilities that apply to all rotations are explained in the Clerkship
Handbook. Students should refer to this document to review these responsibilities.
B. Each student must be prepared to present the results of his/her OSBI background
check and immunization record to the Preceptor or designated administrative
official at the training site if requested by the preceptor or facility as well as
completing any other forms with accurate information required by preceptors or
facilities.
C. In addition to these general requirements, some sites have known specific
clearance requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to complete these special
requirements for sites in a timely manner and failure to do so may result in
removal from the rotation. Descriptions of sites, names of the preceptor, and any
special site requirements and instructions are located on LCMS+. It is
IMPORTANT that you review these descriptions and site requirements well in
advance in order to comply with timely submissions for credentials. Students who
do not complete required clearance information in time to begin rotation will be
reassigned to a later rotation, with location determined based upon availability.
D. Site-specific information regarding preceptor contact info, schedule, and
appropriate dress can be found on LCMS+.
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VII. Course Evaluation

Fail or Pass or Honors grades are assigned for Psychiatry Clerkship by the Department of
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Grades will be determined based up the preceptor
evaluation, performance on the required rotation curriculum, and performance on the
psychiatry COMAT examination. A site evaluation is also required and should be turned in
immediately upon completion of the rotation.

A. Pass/Fail/Honors in Psychiatry:
1. Clerkship failure is when a student:
 Fails the clerkship evaluation (including non-completion of curriculum
requirements)
 A grade will not be assigned until the student passes the psychiatry
COMAT examination – see section 11.2 of the Academic Standards
Handbook
2. Clerkship passing grade is when a student:
 Passes the clerkship evaluation and the psychiatry COMAT
examination
 Completes assigned clerkship readings and learning modules.
Completes all quizzes, with an average score of 75% or higher
3. Clerkship honors grade is when a student:
 Receives an exemplary clerkship evaluation
 Achieves equal to or greater than 1 standard deviation above the
national mean on the psychiatry COMAT examination (i.e., NBOME
score of 110 or greater)
 Completes all assigned clerkship readings and learning modules within
the recommended timeframe. Completes all quizzes within the
recommended timeframe, with an average score of 85% or higher
 Based on the student’s performance on all components, clerkship honors is
awarded at the discretion of the clerkship coordinator

B. Failure Criteria: A student will be assigned a grade of Fail if they meet 2 or

more of the following criteria:
 Osteopathic Principles and Philosophy (OPP): Seldom, if ever,
consider the structure-function relationships of patient evaluation and
treatment (e.g., does not consider patient’s inherent healing
mechanisms, does not consider the impact of somatic dysfunction on
disease processes).
 Patient Care: Student consistently misses essential information, has
poor organization and is repeatedly inaccurate.
 Patient Care: Physical examination shows serious deficits in either
technique, organization, or thoroughness.
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 Patient Care: Written and/or verbal presentations frequently lack

clarity, organization, or thoroughness.
 Patient Care: Student is unable to meaningfully contribute to
development of patient care plan.
 Medical Knowledge: Knowledge base has significant deficits (e.g.,
has consistent difficulty with the clinical application of basic science
principles and/or clinical information to patients’ problems).
 Systems-Based Practice: Student is completely unaware of the
medical system and how it relates to clinical care.
 Practice-Based Learning: Student unable to critically evaluate
medical information and its sources or integrate research evidence into
clinical practice.
 Professionalism: Student failed to complete required reading,
quizzes, or assignments given during the course of the rotation.
 Professionalism: Acts in ways that raise serious concern about
integrity, reliability, responsibility, or ability to work with others.
 Interpersonal/Communication Skills: Inadequate or disorganized
communication interferes with patient care.
 Cultural Competencies: Student shows lack of ability to establish
rapport, relate empathetically, or be sensitive to differences in patients
(e.g., issues of culture, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental
or physical disabilities).

C. Honors Criteria: A student will be considered for Honors in psychiatry if, IN

ADDITION to achievement of >1 standard deviation from the national mean on
the psychiatry COMAT examination, AND completion of assigned clerkship
readings and learning modules and all quizzes, with average score of 85% or
higher, most or all of the following criteria are met:

 Student is a self-directed learner who contributes to the education of

others.
 Knowledge base is superior in both breadth and depth.
 Has an outstanding grasp of the concept of structure-function
interrelationships. Demonstrates superior ability to understand the role of
psychiatric dysfunction in health and disease.
 Student rapidly focuses on correct working and differential diagnoses;
accurately interprets any relevant diagnostic or lab studies. Contributes to
medical decision-making.
 Student provides constructive and timely feedback to patients; responds
calmly in all situations; demonstrates ability to adapt effectively to
multiple settings.
 Student is receptive to feedback and successfully uses feedback to
improve performance.
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 Student demonstrates excellent professionalism, including effective

communication skills and respect for professionals from other disciplines.
 Student demonstrates a high level of professionalism and integrity in
completing all clinical and rotation general requirements.

D. COMAT Exam in Psychiatry: Each student must take the COMAT Exam in
Psychiatry (the pass rate is determined by the College but currently set at
achieving a standard score of 90 or greater). It is administered by the Clinical
Education Department. It will be given at time announced by the College on the
last scheduled day of the rotation. If a student does not pass the COMAT Exam,
he/she must enter a formal remediation process administered by the Course
Coordinator, which includes entering into a mentorship with a designated faculty
member in the department.

COMAT Exam Policy by Academic Standards Committee:

1. If a student does not pass the COMAT, the course director/coordinator for
the rotation must contact the student within 10 days of being notified of
the student’s failure. The course coordinator will schedule a face-to-face
meeting, if possible, with the student to discuss the results of the COMAT
and plans for a formal remediation process. If a timely, face-to face
meeting is not possible, phone meeting could suffice.
2. Within two weeks of receiving a notice of a student failing a COMAT, the
course director/coordinator will submit to the Associate Dean of Clinical
Education (with copy to Academic Standards Committee,) the details of
the formal remediation process for the involved student. The formal
remediation process will include specific study goals, timeframe for
completion (generally six weeks,) any special circumstances that might
influence the remediation goals, and a designated faculty mentor. The
course director/coordinator may serve as faculty mentor to the student
during the remediation process or designate another department faculty
member.
3. Study resources for clinical rotation will be made available to all students
throughout years MS III & MS IV.
4. A tracking form, summarizing the progress of the remediation, including
dates of meetings between the student and faculty mentor must be signed
by the course director/coordinator/mentor and submitted to the Office of
Clinical Education, with copy to Academic Standards Committee.
5. If a student fails a COMAT for the second time, the student is required to
meet with the Student Success Committee with a third failure being
referred to the Academic Standards Committee, for recommendation of
corrective action.

E. Site Evaluation: As described in the Clerkship Handbook, students are required

to submit a site evaluation at the conclusion of each clerkship rotation. Failure to
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submit an evaluation within 7 days of the completion of the rotation will result in
the student receiving a Non-Cog.

VIII. Attendance
Attendance is required at all assigned rotation activities. Attendance also includes
attending a 12-step meeting (e.g., AA or NA Open Meeting). Failure to complete
these requirements may result in a grade reduction, unsatisfactory non-cognitive
grade, and/or that the rotation requirement to be completed at a later date as per the
judgment by the Course Coordinator. At the discretion of the Course Coordinator and
based on lack of attendance, the Coordinator may enter a failing grade for the student.

IX. Grievance Authority

Questions about a Clinical Performance Evaluation should be directed to the Preceptor during
the formal evaluation at the end of rotation. If a grievance cannot be satisfactorily resolved in
this manner, the assistance of the Course Coordinator may be requested.

X. Students with Disabilities

If any student taking this course feels that he/she has a disability that requires special
accommodations to enable full participation in the course, the Course Coordinator will work with
that student and the Office of Student Services to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure
that the student has a fair opportunity to perform in this class. Students wishing to request such
accommodations should advise the Course Coordinator of this as soon as possible and preferably
before the beginning of the rotation.

XI. Contacts

Camillia Estes, B.S.

Clerkship Course Administrator
E-mail: k.estes@okstate.edu
Phone: 918-561-8432
Fax: 918-561-8428

Alicia Ford, PhD

Clerkship Course Coordinator
E-mail: alicia.ford@okstate.edu

Title IX Information
http://1is2manychs.okstate.edu/