This section is the foundation, without which it is impossible to understand any clinical topic. Here we draw the line between normal and pathological, define the subject and tasks of psychiatry as a medical discipline, and ascertain the place that medical psychology holds in the clinical setting.
The section consists of three core topics. First, we will analyze what exactly a psychiatrist treats and why a physician of another specialty needs the fundamentals of psychology. Then we will move on to the most important part—psychiatric examination methods. You will learn how to properly collect subjective and objective anamnesis, as well as assess mental status, relying exclusively on clinical presentation.
In seminars and exams, you will certainly be asked about the boundaries of competencies: what is the difference between a psychologist, a clinical psychologist, and a psychiatrist. Pay special attention to the clinical interview and observation. These are the physician's main working tools, a thorough understanding of which is strictly mandatory before your first independent patient interview.