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A comparison of undergraduate teaching of psychiatry across medical schools in the Republic of Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2016

F. Byrne ,
R. Murphy ,
L. O’Rourke ,
D. Cotter ,
K. C. Murphy ,
A. Guerandel ,
D. Meagher ,
E. Sweeney ,
M. Gill  and
A. Campbell
...Show all authors
F. Byrne
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
R. Murphy
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
L. O’Rourke
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland
D. Cotter
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland
K. C. Murphy
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland
A. Guerandel
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 1, Ireland
D. Meagher
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Limerick Graduate Entry Medical School University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
E. Sweeney
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
M. Gill
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
A. Campbell
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, Ireland
C. McDonald
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
B. Hallahan*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: B. Hallahan, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. (Email: brian.hallahan@nuigalway.ie)
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Abstract

Objectives

To examine the delivery and assessment of psychiatry at undergraduate level in the six medical schools in the Republic of Ireland offering a medical degree programme.

Methods

A narrative description of the delivery and assessment of psychiatry at undergraduate level by collaborative senior faculty members from all six universities in Ireland.

Results

Psychiatry is integrated to varying degrees across all medical schools. Clinical experience in general adult psychiatry and sub-specialities is provided by each medical school; however, the duration of clinical attachment varies, and the provision of some sub-specialities (i.e. forensic psychiatry) is dependent on locally available resources. Five medical schools provide ‘live’ large group teaching sessions (lectures), and all medical schools provide an array of small group teaching sessions. Continuous assessment encompasses 10–35% of the total assessment marks, depending on the medical school. Only one medical school does not provide a clinical examination in the form of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination with viva examinations occurring at three medical schools.

Conclusions

Many similarities exist in relation to the delivery of psychiatry at undergraduate level in Ireland. Significant variability exists in relation to assessment with differences in continuous assessment, written and clinical exams and the use of vivas noted. The use of e-learning platforms has increased significantly in recent years, with their role envisaged to include cross-disciplinary teaching sessions and analysis of examinations and individual components within examinations which will help refine future examinations and enable greater sharing of resources between medical schools.

Keywords

Assessmentmedical schoolpsychiatrysmall group teachingteaching
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 37 , Issue 2 , June 2020 , pp. 77 - 88
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2016

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