Developing the Next Generation Of C-L Psychiatrists: A Workshop on Optimizing Medical Student Education in the C-L Setting

Abstract: There is currently a global need for psychiatrists (1) and an ongoing need to recruit C-L psychiatrists. It has been shown previously that medical student C-L psychiatry experiences can positively influence the choice to pursue a career in psychiatry, and that the majority of students who have completed C-L rotations would recommend these experiences to peers based on educational value (2). These findings suggest that C-L student rotations are a prime opportunity for recruitment. However, C-L psychiatry can also pose challenges to student education due to the complexity of cases, variable workload, and difficulty finding time for quality teaching on busy services (2). As many site directors for student clerkships completed medical training several years if not decades ahead of current students, there may be gaps in attendings’ understanding of how current students expect or want to learn, and how to navigate contemporary issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In this workshop, we will review existing literature on medical student education in C-L, hear perspectives on undergraduate medical education from current trainees, and provide practical strategies to optimize early learning in the C-L setting. Following the sections below, there will be 30 minutes allotted for discussion designed to include both attendings and earlier learners. Participants will be encouraged to share best practices in student education from their respective institutions, and to discuss together how to enhance C-L student education to help recruit the next generation of our subspecialty.

Dr. Kasick will provide updates in medical student education literature, with a discussion as to how these findings relate to early learners in C-L.

Dr. Aydinian will share her experiences in early C-L education as a 2022 medical school graduate. Based on recent completion of multiple C-L rotations and national work with medical students through PsychSIGN, she will address how early C-L education may be optimized from a student perspective.

Dr. Kao will discuss examples of specific strategies to enhance C-L student education, including a review of the one-minute preceptor model and evidenced-based principles of written and verbal feedback. The discussion will focus on how to adapt these tools to C-L rotations.

Dr. Chava will describe experiences as a current psychiatry resident working with students during C-L rotations at two Boston hospitals. She will also examine how teaching students can complement C-L resident and fellow learning.

Dr. Ward will explore examples of DEI issues that may arise involving students, along with guidance for educators on how to address these issues.

Sources:

1. 
   Brenner, Adam M., et al. "Psychiatry workforce and psychiatry recruitment: two intertwined challenges." Academic Psychiatry 41.2 (2017): 202-206.
   
   


2. 
   Meyer, Fremonta, et al. "Medical student experiences on consultation-liaison psychiatry rotations: a nationwide survey." Psychosomatics 59.1 (2018): 75-80.
   
   

Note: Not eligible for ASWB credit.