|
|
Click on the following links for more information History of Child Psychiatry in Washington, DCPrinciples of Practice for Child and Adolescent PsychiatristsThe American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry THE
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIST The child and adolescent psychiatrist is a licensed physician
who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of thinking, feeling
or behavior affecting children, adolescents and their families. As a physician,
a child and adolescent psychiatrist offers families the advantage of a medical
education, the medical tradition of professional ethics, physician-patient
accountability and experience in being responsible for human life. Practice The child and adolescent psychiatrist uses a knowledge of
biological, psychological and social factors in working with patients.
Initially, a comprehensive diagnostic examination is performed to evaluate the
current problem with attention to its physical, genetic, developmental,
emotional, cognitive, educational, family, peer and social components, arriving
at a diagnosis and diagnostic formulation for the youngster, and if appropriate,
the family. The child and adolescent psychiatrist then designs a treatment plan
that considers all the components and discusses these recommendations with the
child or adolescent and family. An integrated approach may involve individual,
group or family psychotherapy; medication; or consultation with other physicians
or professionals from schools, juvenile courts, social agencies or other
community organizations, often involving other professional
disciplines. Except
with older adolescents and young adults, the parents or caretaking family almost
always participate in the therapeutic program. Training Child and adolescent psychiatric training requires 4 years of
medical school, 1 year of supervised hospital medical training (internship), at
least 2 years of approved residency training in general psychiatry with adults,
and 2 years of training in psychiatric work with children, adolescents and their
families in an approved residency in child and adolescent psychiatry.
In the general psychiatry training years, the resident
achieves competence in the basics of psychiatric work. In the child and
adolescent psychiatry residency, the trainee acquires a thorough knowledge of
normal child and family development as well as psychopathology, and treatment.
Special importance is given to disorders that appear in childhood, such as
pervasive developmental disorder, learning disabilities, mental retardation,
depression, drug dependency and delinquency. The child psychiatric resident
further applies and develops psychiatric skills by treating youngsters and their
families. The evaluation and treatment of inpatients and outpatients is
important throughout the residency, with a concentration on delivery of
appropriate treatment within the family's financial and psychological means.
This training includes supervised experience with children of all ages and from
all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, in long-term or family treatment.
The training with hospitalized children and adolescents provides the preparation
for full hospital admission and treatment privileges. Certification and Continuing Education Having completed the child psychiatry residency and
successfully passed the examination in general psychiatry given by the American
Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the child and adolescent psychiatrist is
eligible for certification in the subspecialty of child and adolescent
psychiatry. Although these last two examinations are not required for practice,
they are a further assurance that the child and adolescent psychiatrist who are
trained and certified in this way can be expected to diagnosis and treat all
psychiatric conditions of patients of any age, or refer them for such treatment,
and they are prepared to contribute in many ways to serve the welfare of
children and their families. The child and adolescent psychiatrist, as any other
physician, continues to study and learn about the new advances in the specialty
by reading scientific literature and attending conferences, to be able to apply
new knowledge effectively in daily diagnostic, therapeutic and consultive work. Reprinted
with permission from the American Academy
of
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
|
Congratulations!
You are the |