Development of a Diverse Learning Experience for Diverse Psychiatry Resident Needs: A Four-Year Biological Psychiatry Curriculum Incorporating Principles of Neurobiology, Psychopharmacology, and Evidence-Based Practice

• Published in: Psychiatry investigation Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 289 - 297
• Main Authors: Muzyk, Andrew J, Gagliardi, Jane P, Rakesh, Gopalkumar, Jiroutek, Michael R, Radhakrishnan, Rajiv, Pae, Chi-Un, Masand, Prakash S, Szabo, Steven T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 01.05.2017; 대한신경정신의학회
• Subjects: Original; 정신과학; Resident education; Pedagogy; Active learning; Psychopharmacology; Evidence-based practice; Neurobiology
• ISSN: 1738-3684; 1976-3026
• DOI: 10.4306/pi.2017.14.3.289

A clinically relevant approach to patient care grounded in neurobiological constructs and evidence based practice which emphasizes a relevant psychopharmacology is needed to optimally train psychiatry residents. We implemented a biological psychiatry course that now incorporates neurobiology, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based practice in conjunction with a Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) perspective. A survey launched prior to course implementation and following each class session, served as the outcome metric of residents' attitudes toward the new curriculum and followed a baseline attitudinal survey designed to evaluate the program. Greater than 90% of the psychiatry residents at Duke University who took the attitudinal survey with needing a course that helped them develop an understanding of neurobiology, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based practice concepts. Most residents also indicated a understanding of the neurobiology and psychopharmacology of psychiatric disorders prior to sessions. Our biological psychiatry curriculum was associated with enthusiasm among residents regarding the incorporation of neurobiology, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based practice into course topics and discussions. A biological psychiatry curriculum with integrated neurobiology and psychopharmacology built on an evidence base approach is possible, well-received, and needed in training of future psychiatrists.