Addiction Psychiatry Acting Internship
Title of Course: Addiction Psychiatry Acting Internship
Elective Year(s): Fourth Year Elective
Department: Neurosciences and Psychiatry
Type of Elective: Clinical
Course Site: UTMC – 6D – Detox Unit
Course Number: PSCH 716
Blocks Available: Must check availability with Clerkship Coordinator prior to enrolling in the course.
Number of Students/Block: 1
Faculty: Tanvir Singh M.D.
Elective Description/Requirements: The student participating in this clinical elective will be working primarily at UTMC in the inpatient Detox Unit. The student will be responsible for the completion of the initial evaluation of individuals with addiction who are admitted to this hospital. This will be done with supervision from Tanvir Singh M.D. These physicians will supervise the student in all aspects of clinical management following admission. The student will assist in clinical team preparation for multidisciplinary care meetings and planning post-discharge care. In addition to learning about the clinical aspects of psychiatric management, the student will gain an understanding of various systems of care and the necessity for cross-system collaboration. It is expected that the student will take significant responsibility for the daily responsibility of individuals assigned to him/her, under the supervision and close collaboration with other members of the multi-disciplinary team will be expected. The student will also be expected to prepare a paper/presentation based on a topic agreed upon with the attending by the end of the term.
Length of Course: 4 weeks
Educational Course Objectives and Links to EPOs:
- Explain the cognitive and neurobiological changes that occur with addiction and substance abuse. (EPOs: MK-1, MK-4, PBL-2, PC-6)
- Explain the clinical manifestations of intoxication and withdrawal of various drugs of abuse and their acute and chronic management. (EPOs: MK-1, MK-4, MK-6, MK-7, PBL-2, IPC-1, PC-6)
- Discuss the interactions that occur between a multidisciplinary treatment team in an inpatient detoxification unit and individuals who are involved in the outpatient clinic setting, criminal justice system, and various community-based programs and initiatives. (EPOs: PC-2, MK-2, MK-3, PB-1, PC-4, SBP-1, SBP-2, SBP-3, SBP-4, SBP-5, PB-1)
- Peform a complete psychiatric assessment on admission, discuss differential diagnosis. (EPOs: MK-1, MK-4, MK-6, MK-7, PC-2, PB-1, PC-1, PC-4, PC-6, PC-7,PC-8)
- Recommend appropriate laboratory / diagnostic testing, and develop a treatment plan that includes community-based resources and recommendations for outpatient management. Include situations in which the individual is at risk of self-harm. (EPOs: PC-1, PC-6, PC-7, PC-8, PC-9, SBP-1, SBP-3, SBP-5)
- Discuss the sociopolitical impact of substance abuse and addiction and the relevant legal, social, and medical contributing factors and preventative measures. (EPOs: MK-2, MK-3, MK-6, MK-7, IPC-1, IPC-3, PBL-1, SBP-1, SBP-2)
- Discuss the environmental and genetic factors that predispose an individual to drug use, relapse, and recovery from addiction. (EPOs: MK-1, MK-3, MK-4, MK-6, MK-7)
- Identify and discuss ethical issues related to substance abuse treatment. (EPOs: PC-2)
- Participate in evening or weekend clinical care to support continuity of patient care and demonstrate professionalism in varied clinical settings. (EPO: IPC-2)
- Conduct structured patient handoffs using an evidence‑based communication approach to ensure safe and accurate transfer of care. (EPO: SBP-1)
Professionalism: UT/COM students will meet or exceed the institutional standards for professionalism as stated in the current Educational Program Objectives and the current Educational Course Objectives for the Sponsoring Department.
Instructional Methods:
- Clinical case presentations/discussions
- Use/interpretation of various laboratory and diagnostic tests
- Independent studies
Assessment Methods:
- Acting Internship Assessment
- Self-assessment
- Case presentations/write-ups
- Paper or presentation based on a topic agreed upon with the attending
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all third-year required clerkships.
Special Requirements:
- As part of the acting internship, students are required to participate in at least one evening or weekend clinical experience. This experience ensures exposure to the full spectrum of patient care responsibilities and supports readiness for residency-level schedules and work environment.
- Students are expected to participate in structured patient handoffs as part of their clinical responsibilities. This includes observing and contributing to the sign-out processes to ensure safe, effective transitions of care.
Clerkship Director: Victoria Kelly, M.D.
Clerkship Coordinator: Micheal’e Hands
Phone Number: 419-383-5615
Email: micheale.hands@utoledo.edu
ECC Approved
March 2026