Forensic Psychiatry-Brockville

Objectives: To familiarize the medical students with Forensic Psychiatric Practice including assessment, acute care, rehabilitative treatment of individuals with severe mental disorders (including personality disorders) who have come in conflict with law. This elective can be tailored to the student's interest.

Description: This elective is best suited for a student who is interested acquiring skills in the assessment and treatment of individuals with major mental disorders who have come in conflict with law. It will provide the student the opportunity to develop skills in the court ordered assessment (fitness, criminal responsibility, capacity, etc) and treatment of acute and chronic mental disorder (with or with co-morbid axis II psychopathology). Students will also be provided the opportunity to acquire basic skills in risk assessment (clinical and actuarial) and familiarization with the provincial and federal mental health legislations.

The student would be exposed to the assessment and treatment processes, including how to take a proper forensic history and, in addition, would be able to attend at court and detention centres with the supervising psychiatrist. A very basic session would be given in the preparation of reports. A student can also choose to participate in clinical research projects, as they are available. Areas of interest include risk assessment, dysfunctional anger, criminal responsibility and psychoapthy, mental disorder and violent behavior.

SUPERVISOR(S): Dr. AG Ahmed; Dr. Gulati, Dr. Cameron

(LOCATION: Brockville Psychiatric Hospital

DURATION: 1-4 weeks

NO. OF STUDENTS: 1

AVAILABLE FOR: 3rd and 4th year students