Common Neuropsychiatric Disorders - Short Course

Program Overview

This module equips clinicians to integrate neurological and psychiatric principles in diagnosing and managing neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and functional neurological symptoms. The program features expert faculty, a combination of teaching methods, and an assessment structure that emphasizes critical thinking and evidence-based practice.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This course will equip clinicians with the skills to integrate neurological and psychiatric thinking in the diagnosis and management of these conditions. Conditions covered in this module include Parkinson disease and other movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, delirium, and sleep disorders.

Objectives:

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Identify the different presentations of functional neurological symptoms, including psychogenic movement disorders and non-epileptic attack disorder;
• Develop a structure for assessment and management of people who have these disorders which reflects a critical understanding of the literature and well-developed clinical reasoning.
• Understand the differential diagnosis between somatoform disorders, dissociative disorders, factitious disorders and malingering;
• Understand the methods of investigation and diagnosis, as well as the management options available to patients with somatoform disorders, and apply them to clinical practice;
• Provide a critique and synthesis of the existing scientific literature and apply this to practice.
• Critically appraise the scientific literature on the clinical and research aspects of functional neurological symptoms.

Outline:

• Content: The module covers a range of brain disorders which are common in adults but which are not otherwise covered in the course.
The 3-day block of the module covers the most common clinical presentations of functional (non-organic) neurological symptoms, ranging from psychogenic movement disorders to non-epileptic attacks. The diagnosis of somatoform disorders is explained with focus on the role of clinical examination and neuropsychiatric investigation in assisting the differential diagnosis between dissociation, factitious and malingering. Possible underlying mechanisms are explained and available management options are presented according to evidence levels.
• Structure: The module is divided into two components:
• Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders (OND):
4 days / 8 lectures
• Functional Neurological Disorders (FND):
3 days / 8 lectures
• Course Schedule:
• OND:
18 March - 19 April 2024
• FND:
23 - 25 April 2024
• Individual Modules:
• Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders:
This component covers a range of brain disorders which are common in adults but which are not otherwise covered in the course.
• Functional Neurological Disorders: This component covers the most common clinical presentations of functional (non-organic) neurological symptoms, ranging from psychogenic movement disorders to non-epileptic attacks.

Assessment:

• Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders component: 1500 word essay (50%)
• Functional Neurological Disorders component: Exam - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), 20 questions in 1 hour (50%)

Teaching:

• Faculty:
• Professor Hugh Rickards:
Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders component
• Professor Andrea Cavanna:
Functional Neurological Disorders component
• Teaching Methods: The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and group work.

Other:

• Module Attendance Required:
• OND component:
4 days / 8 lectures
• FND component:
3 days / 8 lectures
• Stand Alone Course: This module can also be taken as a stand-alone course if required.
Please note - no masters level credits are available for this module unless taken as part of the MSc, PGDip or PGCert in Clinical Neuropsychiatry programme. You are encouraged to get in contact no later than 6 weeks before the start date of the module to ensure we can consider your application.