Program Overview

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Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program Elective

The Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) Elective provides students with the unique opportunity to participate in the evaluation, diagnosis, and short-term treatment planning for patients in the Bellevue Psychiatry Emergency Room. Under close supervision by the faculty and staff of this service, students gain experience in interviewing, diagnosing, and managing acute psychiatric patients.

Description

The CPEP Elective allows students to see a wide range of pathology, from adjustment disorders to frank psychoses to complex multi-system illnesses. Students work with attending psychiatrists as well as the Director of the Bellevue Psychiatry Emergency Services.

Objectives of the Elective

The objectives of the elective are as follows:

• Perform a thorough mental status exam
• Differentiate functional from organic disorders
• Define and identify common psychotic, affective, and characterological disorders
• Recognize interaction of substance abuse with other syndromes
• Assess dangerous ideation and behavior
• Make appropriate disposition decisions
• Appropriately utilize medications and recognize major side effects
• Demonstrate appropriate use of chemical and physical restraint
• Understand and comply with the Mental Hygiene Law

Key Responsibilities of the Student

Two sites are available for the elective: the Bellevue ER and the field with the Mobile Crisis Unit. In both settings, students will:

• Perform comprehensive assessments, make disposition recommendations, formulate the initial treatment plan, and initiate pharmacological and psychological interventions under the direct supervision of an emergency psychiatry attending
• Attend and discuss their cases at rounds, participate in team meetings, present to the major interdisciplinary case conference, and attend lectures and seminars

Didactic Program

Students participate in the residency Emergency Psychiatry curriculum to the extent that their schedule permits. The curriculum includes assessment of the emergency presentations of major psychiatric illnesses, suicide and violence, and major acute treatments and forensic issues.

Method of Evaluation

Students are assigned to a preceptor who meets with the student regularly and conducts their evaluation.

Scheduling Information

• Months offered: All year
• Report to: Bellevue Hospital "CPEP" ground floor
• Students per period: 1-3
• Duration: 4 weeks

Prerequisites

• Psychiatry Clerkship

Preceptor

• Ashley Valencia, MD
• Patricia Schwartz, MD
• Course Code: 14-07