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Greg Shields
and
Mahesh Jayaram
What are some of the skills required when interviewing patients? What information is required when taking a patient history or
completing a mental state examination? These are just some of the questions you'll seek answers to as you work through the course material.
Mental health is an important public issue across the world, and the role of the psychiatrist is crucial in helping to address these.
Read more
What are some of the skills required when interviewing patients? What information is required when taking a patient history or
completing a mental state examination? These are just some of the questions you'll seek answers to as you work through the course material.
Mental health is an important public issue across the world, and the role of the psychiatrist is crucial in helping to address these.
Read more
What are some of the skills required when interviewing patients? What information is required when taking a patient history or
completing a mental state examination? These are just some of the questions you'll seek answers to as you work through the course material.
Mental health is an important public issue across the world, and the role of the psychiatrist is crucial in helping to address these.
This course aims to give you a more nuanced understanding of the role of a psychiatrist, developing clinical skills and therapeutic relationships. Understanding the impact of mental illness in society and ethics in medicine are some of the key themes central to this course.
This course is designed to provide essential background knowledge and practical skills that apply to any
mental health clinical setting.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/oyc5f5/foundations
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What's inside
Syllabus
Course introduction & communication
Welcome to The University of Melbourne Massive Open Online Course in International Psychiatry. This course has been designed to provide essential background knowledge and practical skills for health professionals working with mentally unwell patients. In this first week of the course, you will learn about the importance of good communication skills.
Working effectively and collaboratively with patients is the goal of every mental health professional. This can often be challenging for practitioners, especially when patients are very unwell or reluctant to seek help. Good communication skills are essential to engage patients and families, and to build therapeutic relationships with our clients. In this module we will look at skills and concepts that come in useful when interviewing patients.
Read more
Syllabus
Course introduction & communication
Welcome to The University of Melbourne Massive Open Online Course in International Psychiatry. This course has been designed to provide essential background knowledge and practical skills for health professionals working with mentally unwell patients. In this first week of the course, you will learn about the importance of good communication skills.
Working effectively and collaboratively with patients is the goal of every mental health professional. This can often be challenging for practitioners, especially when patients are very unwell or reluctant to seek help. Good communication skills are essential to engage patients and families, and to build therapeutic relationships with our clients. In this module we will look at skills and concepts that come in useful when interviewing patients.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores the role of a psychiatrist extensively, which is highly relevant to psychiatry
Taught by Greg Shields and Mahesh Jayaram, who are recognized for their work in psychiatry
Builds a strong foundation for beginners interested in psychiatry
Covers topics that are highly relevant to clinical settings for mental health
Provides hands-on labs and interactive materials for practical learning
May require additional readings and resources beyond the course materials, but this is common in psychiatry education
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Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary
Solid foundation in international psychiatry
According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in international psychiatry, focusing on essential clinical skills like interviewing, history-taking, and the Mental State Examination. Students found the coverage of the biopsychosocial model and the inclusion of ethics and societal factors particularly valuable and unique. While generally considered highly relevant for health professionals needing foundational knowledge, some more experienced learners felt it could benefit from greater depth. The course is seen as a great starting point for understanding psychiatric practice across different settings.
Great for beginners, but perhaps lacks depth.
"Great course for beginners or those needing a refresher."
"As someone with some experience, I found it a bit basic in parts, but good for fundamentals."
"The course provided a broad overview, wishing some topics went deeper."
Clear explanation of the model.
"Found the explanation of the biopsychosocial model very clear."
"Helped me understand how to apply the biopsychosocial framework clinically."
"The module on this model helped integrate different aspects of care."
Valuable unique content on ethical issues.
"The section on ethics and law was particularly insightful and relevant."
"Appreciated the focus on societal and cultural factors influencing mental health."
"This course uniquely covered the ethical challenges faced by psychiatrists."
Provides core skills like MSE and history.
"The modules on Mental State Examination and history taking were exactly what I needed..."
"Provides a solid foundation in basic clinical skills essential for psychiatry."
"I feel much more confident in my ability to conduct a psychiatric interview now."
Assignment format varies in quality.
"The peer review process was sometimes inconsistent."
"Quality of feedback in the peer-graded assignment varied greatly."
"Liked the idea of the assignment, but the actual peer reviews could be unhelpful."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Foundations of International Psychiatry with these
activities:
Join a study group to discuss course materials and prepare for assessments
Show steps
Collaborate with peers, compare perspectives, and enhance your understanding of the course content.
Show steps
Review Foundations of Psychiatry by Alan E. Gross
Show steps
Review key concepts and approaches in psychiatry to lay a foundation and build a stronger understanding.
View
Research Design in Clinical Psychology
on Amazon
Show steps
Create a presentation on the ethical considerations in psychiatric practice
Show steps
Develop a deeper understanding of the ethical principles and guidelines that govern psychiatric practice.
Show steps
-
Research and identify relevant ethical considerations in psychiatry
-
Organize and structure your presentation
-
Prepare visual aids and supporting materials
-
Rehearse your presentation
-
Deliver your presentation to peers or a mentor
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Participate in an online course on psychopharmacology
Show steps
Enhance your knowledge of psychiatric medications, their mechanisms of action, and their use in treating mental health conditions.
Browse courses on
Psychopharmacology
Show steps
Shadow a practicing psychiatrist for one week
Show steps
Gain practical insights and experience in a real-world psychiatric setting.
Show steps
-
Identify a practicing psychiatrist who is willing to mentor you
-
Secure necessary permissions and clearances
-
Observe the psychiatrist's interactions with patients
-
Participate in case discussions and team meetings
-
Document your observations and experiences
Write a case study report on a patient with a complex mental illness
Show steps
Integrate your knowledge of mental health assessment and treatment planning to develop a comprehensive patient care plan.
Show steps
-
Select a patient case that presents a complex mental health condition
-
Review the patient's medical history, assessment findings, and treatment経過
-
Analyze the patient's symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment plan
-
Identify areas for improvement in the patient's care
-
Write a report summarizing your findings and recommendations
Join a study group to discuss course materials and prepare for assessments
Show steps
Collaborate with peers, compare perspectives, and enhance your understanding of the course content.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
Review Foundations of Psychiatry by Alan E. Gross
Show steps
Review key concepts and approaches in psychiatry to lay a foundation and build a stronger understanding.
View
Research Design in Clinical Psychology
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
Create a presentation on the ethical considerations in psychiatric practice
Show steps
Develop a deeper understanding of the ethical principles and guidelines that govern psychiatric practice.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research and identify relevant ethical considerations in psychiatry
- Organize and structure your presentation
- Prepare visual aids and supporting materials
- Rehearse your presentation
- Deliver your presentation to peers or a mentor
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Participate in an online course on psychopharmacology
Show steps
Enhance your knowledge of psychiatric medications, their mechanisms of action, and their use in treating mental health conditions.
Browse courses on
Psychopharmacology
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
Shadow a practicing psychiatrist for one week
Show steps
Gain practical insights and experience in a real-world psychiatric setting.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a practicing psychiatrist who is willing to mentor you
- Secure necessary permissions and clearances
- Observe the psychiatrist's interactions with patients
- Participate in case discussions and team meetings
- Document your observations and experiences
Write a case study report on a patient with a complex mental illness
Show steps
Integrate your knowledge of mental health assessment and treatment planning to develop a comprehensive patient care plan.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Select a patient case that presents a complex mental health condition
- Review the patient's medical history, assessment findings, and treatment経過
- Analyze the patient's symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment plan
- Identify areas for improvement in the patient's care
- Write a report summarizing your findings and recommendations
Career center
Learners who complete Foundations of International Psychiatry will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists focus on the mental complexities of human illness and the use of sophisticated communication skills to evaluate and treat patients. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, can help build the essential background knowledge and practical skills required to be successful in this field. It offers insights into the role of a psychiatrist, allowing learners to develop the clinical skills and therapeutic relationships that are vital in this profession. Understanding the impact of mental illness in society and ethics in medicine, as covered in this course, would also be highly relevant for individuals pursuing a career as a Psychiatrist.
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologists are responsible for diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, can provide a strong foundation for individuals interested in this career path. It offers comprehensive coverage of clinical skills, mental state examination, and the biopsychosocial model, which are all essential knowledge areas for Clinical Psychologists. By gaining a deeper understanding of mental illness and how to effectively engage with patients, learners can prepare themselves for success in this field.
Mental Health Counselor
Mental Health Counselor
Mental Health Counselors provide support and guidance to individuals experiencing mental health challenges. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, can offer valuable insights into the field, particularly in terms of developing strong communication skills for patient engagement and building therapeutic relationships. Understanding the biopsychosocial model and mental state examination, as covered in this course, would also be beneficial for aspiring Mental Health Counselors.
Social Worker
Social Worker
Social Workers provide support to individuals facing various social and emotional challenges, including mental health issues. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may be helpful for individuals interested in this field, as it offers insights into the biopsychosocial model, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of social, psychological, and biological factors in mental health. Understanding this model can enable Social Workers to better assess and address the needs of their clients.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners provide comprehensive healthcare services, including mental health assessments and interventions. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may offer some relevant knowledge, particularly in terms of understanding the mental state examination and the biopsychosocial model. These concepts can be valuable in assessing and managing patients with mental health concerns, complementing the clinical skills and knowledge Nurse Practitioners acquire in their training.
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists provide therapy and counseling services to individuals and groups seeking to improve their mental health and well-being. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may be helpful for those interested in pursuing this career, as it offers insights into effective communication skills, patient engagement, and building therapeutic relationships. Understanding the mental state examination and the biopsychosocial model can also provide valuable knowledge for Psychotherapists in their work.
Addiction Counselor
Addiction Counselor
Addiction Counselors support individuals struggling with substance use disorders and mental health issues. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may offer some relevant knowledge, particularly in terms of understanding the biopsychosocial model and its implications for addiction. The course also covers communication skills and patient engagement, which are essential for Addiction Counselors in building rapport and supporting clients in their recovery journey.
Case Manager
Case Manager
Case Managers coordinate and manage care for individuals with complex health and social needs, including mental health challenges. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may offer some relevant knowledge, particularly in terms of understanding the biopsychosocial model and its implications for case management. The course also emphasizes communication skills and building relationships, which are essential for Case Managers in effectively advocating for their clients and ensuring access to appropriate services.
Peer Support Specialist
Peer Support Specialist
Peer Support Specialists provide support and guidance to individuals with mental health challenges, drawing on their own lived experiences. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may offer some insights into mental health conditions and their impact, as well as effective communication and engagement strategies. Understanding the biopsychosocial model and the mental state examination can also provide valuable knowledge for Peer Support Specialists in supporting their peers.
Health Educator
Health Educator
Health Educators promote health and well-being through education and outreach programs. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may offer some relevant knowledge, particularly in terms of understanding the biopsychosocial model and its implications for mental health. The course also covers communication skills and building relationships, which are essential for Health Educators in effectively delivering health promotion programs and materials.
Gerontologist
Gerontologist
Gerontologists study the social, psychological, and health aspects of aging. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may offer some insights into the mental health challenges faced by older adults and the biopsychosocial model's implications for their care. The course also covers communication skills and building relationships, which are essential for Gerontologists in effectively working with older adults and their families.
School Counselor
School Counselor
School Counselors provide support and guidance to students facing academic, social, and emotional challenges. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may offer some insights into mental health conditions commonly experienced by children and adolescents and the biopsychosocial model's implications for their support. The course also covers communication skills and building relationships, which are essential for School Counselors in effectively working with students and their families.
Correctional Officer
Correctional Officer
Correctional Officers are responsible for maintaining order and safety in correctional facilities. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may offer some insights into the mental health challenges faced by incarcerated individuals and the biopsychosocial model's implications for their care. The course also covers communication skills and building relationships, which are essential for Correctional Officers in effectively interacting with inmates and maintaining a safe environment.
Law Enforcement Officer
Law Enforcement Officer
Law Enforcement Officers are responsible for upholding the law and protecting the public. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may offer some insights into the mental health challenges faced by individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The biopsychosocial model can provide a framework for understanding the complex factors that contribute to criminal behavior and recidivism.
Journalist
Journalist
Journalists research, write, and report on current events and issues. This course, Foundations of International Psychiatry, may offer some insights into the mental health challenges faced by journalists, particularly those covering traumatic or sensitive topics. Understanding the biopsychosocial model and its implications for mental health can be helpful for journalists in maintaining their own well-being and supporting others.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/oyc5f5/foundations
Reading list
We've selected eight books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Foundations of International Psychiatry.
This comprehensive textbook provides an in-depth overview of psychiatry, covering all aspects of the field from basic science to clinical practice. It is an excellent resource for students and practitioners alike.
This concise textbook provides a comprehensive overview of psychiatry, with a focus on clinical practice. It is an excellent resource for students and practitioners alike.
Save
This comprehensive textbook provides an in-depth overview of psychiatry, with a focus on research and evidence-based practice. It is an excellent resource for students and practitioners alike.
Provides an overview of the biopsychosocial model of health and disease, which framework for understanding the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in health and illness. It is an excellent resource for students and practitioners who want to gain a more holistic understanding of mental illness.
Provides a practical guide to conducting mental health interviews. It is an excellent resource for students and practitioners who want to learn how to effectively interview patients with mental illness.
This manual provides the criteria for diagnosing mental disorders. It is an essential resource for students and practitioners who work with patients with mental illness.
This manual provides the criteria for diagnosing mental disorders according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). It is an essential resource for students and practitioners who work with patients with mental illness.
This manual provides a psychodynamic approach to diagnosing mental disorders. It is an excellent resource for students and practitioners who want to gain a deeper understanding of the unconscious factors that contribute to mental illness.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/oyc5f5/foundations
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Effort
5 weeks of study, 1 -3 hours per week.
Level
Advanced
Via
Coursera
Institution
The University of Melbourne
Instructors
Greg Shields
Mahesh Jayaram
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
Français
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Deutsch
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中文
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Türkçe
Polski
Ελληνικά
українська мова
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ไทย
қазақша
اُردُو,
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