PETRE SHOTADZE TBILISI MEDICAL ACADEMY

SYLLABUS
Course name
Psychiatry
Author(s) of the Syllabus
Eka Chkonia
Status of learning course mandatory for one-step educational program - Medicine;
Format and volume of the learning course
total hours:.., contact hours , including: lectures ..hs, group work .. h, final exam
h, students independent work .. h (check at the Deans office)
Hours of consultations 4 hours
Credits according to ECTS (check at the Deans office)
Teaching staff
Eka Chkonia
The goal of learning course The course intends to study the issues concerning prevalence, presentation, etiology and
principles of management of mental disorders. The course provides solid foundation in the
fundamentals of the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients with mental health disorders.
All major psychiatric diagnostic categories will be addressed including: affective disorders,
anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, geriatrics
disorders, child and adolescent disorders, somatization disorders, oppositional defiant disorder,
autism, pervasive developmental disorder, and personality disorders.
Course prerequisites
For admission of the course student must have completed course in medical/clinical psychology
or human development
The Methods/Means for achieving the goal - The course instructions are regular lecturs and
practical sessions, verbal or oral method, working on the book, analysis and synthesis,
discussion/debates, case study. The proposed forms of independent work for students are history
taking, mental state examination, presentations, article review; problem based learning case and
final exam.
The content of learning course
Week

I day

Teachi
ng
metho
d
Lectur
e

hr.

Topic

Subject of psychiatry, history of psychiatry,

contemporary hypothesis in psychiatry. Definition
of mental health

[2] Chapter 2

II day

III
day

IV
day

V
day

VI
day

Workin
g in
groups

Mental state examination. Clinical interview in

psychiatry, patient with special needs. Laboratory
testing in psychiatry, history taking and medical
errors in psychiatry. Mental state examination,
laboratory and other assessments in psychiatry.

Lectur
e

Workin
g in
groups

Lectur
e

Workin
g in
groups

Lectur
e

Workin
g
groups

Lectur
e

Understanding of symptom and nosology.

Nosological approach in psychiatry. Classification of
mental disorders (ICD-10, DSM-IV-TR, DSM 5).
Symptoms and syndromes of mental disorders.
Classifications International Classification of
Disorders (ICD 10) and Diagnostic Statistical
Manual (DSM-IV and DSM 5). Scales and tools used
in psychiatry, Common symptoms and syndromes
of mental disorders, main psychopathological
syndromes. Interview with patients- motivational
interview (resistance, engagement, interview
techniques)
Organic mental disorders, delirium, dementia,
amnestic disorders. Diagnostic criteria, diagnostic
tools and main principles of case management
Dementia: diagnostic criteria, differential
diagnosis, case management and
pharmacotherapy.
Amnestic disorders epidemiology, etiology,
clinical features and treatment options,
Delirium: definition, clinical features, etiology, pathogenesis
and treatment.
Epilepsy.
Mental disorders due to brain damage and vascular psychoses
Schizophrenia history, etiology, clinical features,
diagnosis and differential diagnoses.
Schizophrenia and delusional disorder - treatment
options, case management, main guiding
principles.
Schizophrenia: history, etiology, diagnostic criteria,
main types. Antipsychotic medication: side effects,
extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia and
anticholinergic effect.
Delusional disorder, Schizoaffective disorder:
etiology, epidemiology, diagnostic criteria and
treatment
Affective disorders and treatment options main
guiding principles.

Workin
g in
groups

Mood (affective) disorders neurobiology of

mood disorders, depression and neuroanatomy of
depression, diagnostic criteria of mood disorders
(major depressive episode, manic, mixed episodes
and hypomania)

Lectur
e

Mood (affective) disorders and their treatment

options main guiding principles.

Workin
g in
groups

Mood (affective) disorders: Bipolar I and bipolar

II disorders. seasonal affective disorder. Treatment
options for mood (affective) disorders
(antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, mood
stabilizers)

[2] Chapter 1

[1] Chapter 10,

[2] Chapter 14

[1] Chapter 13;

[2] Chapter 12

[1] Chapter 15;

[2] Chapter 11

[1] Chapter 15;

[2] Chapter 11

3
VII
day

VIII
day

IX
day

X
day

XI
day

XII
day
XIII
day

XIV
day

Midter
m
exam

Lecture

Workin
g in
groups

Lecture

Workin
g in
groups

Lectur
e

Testing

Anxiety disorders: normal and pathological

anxiety, social and specific phobias,
agoraphobias, panic attacks, generalized anxiety
disorder
Anxiety disorders: normal and pathological
anxiety, social and specific phobias,
agoraphobias, panic attacks, generalized anxiety
disorder
Psychological trauma and stress related disorders
treatment options and algorithms.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Acute stress
disorder, symptoms, causes, treatment.
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms,
importance in personal development, treatment
and recovery.
Somatoform disorders (somatic disorder,
undifferentiated somatoform disorder, conversion
disorder, hypochondriasis, body dimorphic
disorder)

[1] Chapter 16;

[2] Chapter 9

Stress related disorders, classification and contemporary

approach.

[1] Chapter 26;

[2] Chapter 10

Workin
g in
groups

Lecture

[1] Chapter 12;

[2] Chapter 18

Workin
g in
groups

Present
ation
Lectur
e
Workin
g in
groups

Dissociative disorders (Dissociative amnesia,

dissociative fugue, depersonalization, dissociative
identity disorder). Fictitious disorder, Munchausen
syndrome, simulation, aggravation,
noncompliance. Adjustment disorder,
Psychoactive substance use disorders social and
medical consequences, treatment and prevention.
Alcohol and substance related psychoses. Using
sedatives. Mental and behavioral disorders due to
the use of cocaine, marihuana, nicotine, and
psychostimulants.
Presentation

Lecture

Workin
g in
groups

Lecture

1
3

Mood (affective) disorders and their treatment

options main guiding principles.
Dissociative disorders (Dissociative amnesia,
dissociative fugue, depersonalization, dissociative
identity disorder) Homework: Read materials
discussed at lecture and seminar
Personality disorders, cluster A (paranoid,
schizoid, schizotypal), cluster B (histrionic,
narcissistic, antisocial, borderline), cluster C
(avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive) and
otherwise not specified personality disorders
(passive-aggressive, self-defeating and
depressive).
Personality disorders, cluster A (paranoid,
schizoid, schizotypal), cluster B (histrionic,
narcissistic, antisocial, borderline), cluster C
(avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive) and
otherwise not specified personality disorders
(passive-aggressive, self-defeating and
depressive).
Psychiatric emergency. Suicide
ADHD and problems in childhood

[1] Chapter
16; [2] Chapter
9

[1] Chapter 49;

[2] Chapter 11

[1] Chapter 27;

[2] Chapter 7

[1] Chapter 53;

4
XV
day

XVI
day

Semina
r

Main problems in childhood. Mental retardation,

developmental problems, eating disorders in
children and adolescents. Pika, anorexia nervosa,
bulimia.

Lecture

Workin
g in
groups

Mental health among elderly population. Rate and

range of mental disorders. Psychopharmacological
issues. Essential groups of medicines used in
psychiatry and pharmacokinetics.
Medication used in old age psychiatry

[2] Chapter 24

[1] Chapter 56;

[2] Chapter 20

Final exam 3 hr- within one week after finishing the course

Core literature:
1. [1] H.I.Kaplan, B.J.Sadock Clinical Psychiatry, ninth edition, 2014
2. [2] M.Gelder, D.Gath, R.Meyou, Ph.Cowen - Oxford Textbook in Psychiatry, Reprinted 2009;
Supplementary reading:
1. Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications,
2013
Internet sources:
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed - PabMed - US National Library of MedicineNational
Institutes of Health
2. Medline-Mental Health and Psychiatry - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
3. Mental Health Education http://www.athealthce.com/
4. The Royal college of Psychiatrists website
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/help/pimh/index.asp
5. Mental Health Information - http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/
6. World
Psychiatry
Association
(WPA)
website
educational
programs
http://www.wpanet.org/home.html
7. Mental health Resources http://www.mental-health-matters.com/disorders/
8. Royal College of Psychiatry - http://www.emental-health.com/
9. Students BMJ., Medical Protection Society - http://www.studentbmj.com/
10. Free resources for professionals - http://www.e-help.com/psychiatry.htm
11. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec15.html - MERCK manuals in psychiatry

The assessment system

1
The assessment of the knowledge is accomplished by 100 point system. According to
intermediate assessments out of above-said 100 points a student gathers 60 points during the

5
semester, and 40 points at the final exam. The student is awarded ECTS credit in case of
gathering total 51-100 points for final assessment (intermediate assessment + final exam).
2
Intermediate assessment (60 points) consists of three components:
1. Class activity 30 points
2. Presentation 10 ponts
In total, these two components are assessed by 40 points
3. Intermediate exam 20 points
3
1. Class activity ( 6 oral quizes, each maximum 5 points, total 30 points). The quizes should
evenly be distributed on curatio days. Each quiz is assessed by 5 points maximum. Each
assessment may be an intermediate assessment of daily quizes for 3-4 days.
5
II. Presentation - 10 points
Criteria of presentation assessment are the following:

Contextual value of the work performed 1 point

The ability of the presentation of the topic 1 point

The ability to answer the questions 1 point

Visual presentation of the work 1 point

The ability to keep time-limit- 1 point

Total maximum 5 points

The rule of a students assessment should be given in detail6

III. Intermediate exam 20 points

The minimal point of intermediate exam is 10. A student is allowed to retake an intermediate
exam according to the duration of curatio within a few days (maximum one week). If student
student fails to retake an intermediate exam, he/she will still be admitted to the final exam if a
minimal point of an intermediate assessment is 11.
7
Final exam A student is allowed to take a final exam if he/she gathers minimum 11 points by
class activity and intermediate exam. A maximum point of a final exam is 40 points (proceeding
from the specificity of the course and the quantity of the hours, the components and points are
desirable to agree with the Dean).

6
The form of the exam is determined by the teacher in agreement with the Dean and depends on
subject specificity.
The types of final exam:

Mixed Final exam

o the tested/written (open or MCQ questions) + the assessment of clinical skills

The final exam is considered to be taken in case if a student gets minimum 20 points from 40
points.
The student is awarded ECTS credit in case of gathering minimum 51 points in final assessment
(intermediate total assessment - maximum 60 points + a final exam - maximum 40 points).
In case of gathering 41-50 points in the final assessment a student is allowed to retake a final
exam
In case of gathering less than 41 points in the final assessment a student has to retake the course.

The scheme of point distribution in the evaluation system

Points
91-100 (A)
81-90 (B)
71-80 (C)
61-70 (D)
51-60 (E)

Excellent
very good
Good
Satisfactory
Sufficient

Evaluation

41-50 (FX)
0-40 (F)

failed; the student has the right to retake an examination

failed; to receive the credit student should take a learning course repeatedly

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and
understanding
(Subject-specific
skills):

The student has a deep and systemic knowledge of the learning

course material that gives him/her the opportunity of creating
some new original ideas and solving problems related to the
subject.

7
Applying
knowledge in
practice
(Subject-specific
skills)

The student is able to act in a new, unpredictable and multidisciplinary

environment; to search for new, original ways for solutions of complex
problems, including an independent accomplishment of research studies using
most recent methods and approaches

Critical
Thinking

The student must be able to make conclusionsons based on critical analysis of

complex and even incomplete research data and make an innovative synthesis
of recent information. The student understands and appropriately assesses social
and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of knowledge and
judgement.

Communication

The student must be able to share his/hers conclusions, argumentations and

research methods with academic or professional society, in Georgian and
foreign languages taking into account the standards of academic honesty and
the achievements of information-communication technologies
The student has an ability to manage own learning and objectively evaluate
his/her knowledge and skills. The student is able to continue the learning
independently, use various sources and find appropriate literature. The student
is able to develop independent projects

Learning skills

The values

The evaluation of his/her and others attitude to the values and the contribution
to the establishment of new ones

Language of instruction English