Embedding neuroscience in psychiatry training

Abstract

SUMMARY Training in neuroscience is vital to the future of psychiatry as a medical specialty. Trainees and trainers alike demonstrate a desire to keep up to date with developments in the associated scientific fields. Neuroscience increasingly underpins clinical assessments, treatment options and patients’ expectations. Psychiatry training in the UK can embrace neuroscience at many levels, from discussing patient presentations with supervisors, to teaching programmes supported by the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ activities. Although challenges remain, neuroscience literacy enhances the specialty and will improve patient care.

Integration of neuroscience into psychiatric training and practice: suggestions for implementation

“…Proposals for better integration of neuroscience into psychiatry training date back 50 years, with previous calls for neuropsychiatrists to lead on this issue. 1,4,10,[30][31][32]34,35 Box 1 illustrates some of the global initiatives to date, mostly aimed at improving resources for those wishing to improve their neuroscientific knowledge and skills in their own time and having an existing specialist interest in the subject. Although these measures have been successful to an extent, this article argues that without fully embedding neuroscience within the curriculum, they may not engage and be inclusive for all learners regardless of subspecialty, particularly those not naturally neurologically inclined.…”

“…Incremental developments over the past century have improved our understanding of brain mechanisms relevant to a range of psychiatric disorders. 1 The divergence between neurology and psychiatry, reported by those in the field since the 18th/19th century, with neurologists focusing more on structural neuropathology and psychiatrists shifting to a more psychosocial approach, has led to a gradual reduction in neuroscientific skills among psychiatrists. 2,3 Within the current framework of the biopsychosocial model in psychiatry and the emphasis on holistic individualised care, this imbalance needs to be readdressed.…”

“…In these cases, it is crucial for psychiatrists to have sufficient neuroscientific knowledge and skills to facilitate accurate diagnosis, provide meaningful explanations to patients, enable shared decision-making and manage the interface with medical colleagues, leading to better patient outcomes. 1 The huge surge in research concerning the neuroscientific aspects of psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses in the past few decades has advanced the understanding of depression, psychosis and dementia, [17][18][19] the detection and management of autoimmune encephalitis, 20 as well as having led to emerging pioneering treatments such as deep brain stimulation. 21 We have observed improved understanding of the interactions between core neurological and psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety in both epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, and psychosis in Parkinson's disease.…”