For many psychiatrists, medical training largely occurs as a part of clinical rotations during medical school and a year of internship. Professional societies in the US and Canada have position statements supporting enhanced training in general medical problems, and some individual programs are beginning to build this training more formally into their curricula. In many health systems, collaborative care and other coordinated approaches can ensure that patients with SMI are able to access integrated mental health and medical care. For those who wish to provide medical treatments, the responsibility rests on clinicians to actively seek out additional training once they are in practice. The American Psychiatric Association regularly offers courses to help psychiatrists to enhance their primary care skills.
REFERENCES
Druss B et al. Psychiatry’s Role in Improving the Physical Health of Patients With Serious Mental Illness: A Report From the American Psychiatric Association. Psychiatr Serv. 2018 Mar 1;69(3):254-256.
Husarewycz, M. N., Fleisher, W., & Skakum, K. (2015). Medical Training in Psychiatric Residency: The PGY-1 Experience, 2014 Update. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne de Psychiatrie, 60(6), 1–8.