Teaching psychological processes and psychotherapy to medical students

Australas Psychiatry. 2015 Feb;23(1):69-71. doi: 10.1177/1039856214563843. Epub 2014 Dec 15.

Abstract

Objective: Psychiatrists are in a key position to teach medical students about psychotherapy. Whilst at first it may appear a formidable task, it need not be so. It should however, have applicability to the bulk of students, who will not go on to psychiatry training.

Conclusions: We outline some potentially useful strategies to help clinicians teach aspects of psychotherapy to students: making it easy and relevant, illustrating the broad applications of psychological concepts, introducing cultural references, as well as appreciating that assessment can drive learning.

Keywords: medical education; psychotherapy; students.

MeSH terms

  • Education, Medical* / standards
  • Humans
  • Psychiatry / education*
  • Psychotherapy / education*
  • Students, Medical*