Volume 10 Issue 7 July, 2019
A man’s characteristics can be determined by studying the bumps on his head, was what the science of Phrenology claimed in the early 1800’s. The compelling need to disprove this absurd pseudo science over the centuries may in fact, have given rise to the concept of cerebral localization. Ideas are the currency of the future. Today, psychiatry as a medical discipline is becoming increasingly important due to the high recognition of the world wide burden associated with mental disorders. Surprisingly, however, there is a lack of young academicians choosing psychiatry as a career. This means fewer minds and lesser ideas!
The problem that plagues the Indian system is the poor representation of psychiatry for the undergraduate students in the MBBS curriculum. In addition to providing quality teaching, the factors that need to be enhanced to improve student attitudes include forming a close working relationship with the student, seniors (particularly consultants and postgraduate residents) offering encouragement, direct patient contact, emphasizing the scientific basis of psychiatry and making sure that students witness patients getting better. Medical students are the future colleagues and potential successors of psychiatrists: the future standing of the profession lies with their effective education.
Senior Resident, Dept. of Psychiatry,
St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore
Senior Resident, Dept. of Psychiatry,
Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore
