Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Acting Internship
Title of Course: Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Acting Internship
Elective Year(s): Fourth Year Elective
Department: Neurosciences and Psychiatry
Type of Elective: Clinical
Course Site: The University of Toledo Medical Center
Course Number: PSCH 719
Blocks Available: Must check availability with Clerkship Coordinator prior to enrolling in the course.
Number of Students/Block: 1
Elective Description/Requirements: The student participating in this clinical elective will be working primarily at UTMC as part of the Psychiatry Consult team. The student will evaluate adult and child patients receiving psychiatric consult requests, assist in developing individualized and person-centered treatment plans, and contribute to creating and maintaining a supportive treatment milieu. This will be done with supervision from the attending physicians for the psychiatry consult service. These physicians will supervise the student in all aspects of clinical management following admission. 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 responsibility for the 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 presentation based on a topic agreed upon with the attending by the end of the term. The student is expected to present their topic at departmental or organizational meetings (e.g. NAMI Greater Toledo, NWOPPA monthly meetings, psychiatry resident didactics, Internal Medicine noon lectures, Emergency Medicine didactics, grand rounds, etc.) As an acting intern, the student enrolled in this course will assist in the education of students completing their Psychiatry required clerkship experiences. Moreover, the student will participate in Collaborative Care experiences through primary care. This student will meet weekly with the attending physician for assessment and feedback.
Length of Course: 4 weeks
Educational Course Objectives and Links to EPOs:
- Explain the neurobiological changes underlying delirium, agitation, alcohol and substance intoxication and withdrawal, secondary to medical conditions. (EPOs: MK-1, MK-4)
- Explain the neurobiological changes underlying mood disorder and suicidality secondary to medical conditions. (EPOs: MK-1, MK-4)
- Discuss the impact of social determinants on the health of individuals encountered on the inpatient unit. (EPO: SBP-2)
- Independently conduct an organized, comprehensive, and culturally appropriate assessment of an individual hospitalized for medical/surgical reasons. (EPOs: PC-1, PB-1)
- Prioritize a differential diagnosis; recommend and describe the scientific basis for the diagnostic evaluation. (EPOs: PC-6)
- Recommend specific, evidence-based therapeutic interventions after discussing the indications, contraindications, potential adverse reactions, and likely outcomes of each. (EPOs: PB-1, PC-7)
- Identify community-based resources to incorporate into outpatient behavioral health care plan upon discharge, if possible. (EPOs: SBP-3)
- Communicate effectively with hospitalized individuals and all members of the interprofessional treatment team; participate effectively in the exchange of information with consulting teams. (EPOs: PC-4, PB-1, PC-9, IPC-1, IPC-2, SBP-5)
- Incorporate feedback from others into the assessment of knowledge and performance; set learning and self-improvement goals; and identify appropriate resources to address gaps in knowledge and skills. (EPOs: PB-1, PBL-1, PBL-2, PBL-3)
- 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:
- Clinical documentation review
- 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: Emily Cooper, M.D.
Clerkship Coordinator: Micheal’e Hands
Phone Number: 419-383-5615
Email: micheale.hands@utoledo.edu
ECC Approved
March 2026