4 year programme                          July

The DM Psychiatry is a four year graduate course which aims to provide the graduate with the knowledge and skills to function as a consultant equipped for independent practice in hospital-based stand-alone facilities and community mental health. On acceptance to the programme there will be a six month probation period during which the student’s performance will be assessed at regular intervals. Any student who fails the overall assessment during this period of probation will be required to withdraw from the programme. Throughout the programme, students must hold recognized posts in accredited hospitals or be on an 'elective’ approved by the Specialty Board in Psychiatry. 

The programme consists of two parts, over four years.

Part I (Year 1)

During this period, the students will be given instructions in the Basic Medical Sciences (Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology Psychology)

Part I (Year 2)

Entry to the second year of the programme will depend on the recommendation of the Specialty Board based on the continuous assessments and the results of the Year 1 Part I (Basic Sciences) examinations. During this period, students will be given instructions in Neurology and Psychiatry. By the end of the first semester of Year 2 of the programme, the student will submit to the Specialty Board through his/her supervisor, a project proposal for a Clinical Research Project to be undertaken during Year 3 of the programme. 

Part II (Year 3)

Admission to Part II of the programme depends upon the student’s satisfactory performance in the Part I examination at the end of Year 2 (see below under examinations). During this period, students can undertake an elective of their choice, provided that prior approval is obtained from the Specialty Board. Students are required to carry out their Clinical Research Project during this year.

Part II (Year 4)

During this period, the students continue working as psychiatric residents at an approved hospital, under supervision. By the end of the first semester of Year 4, the student will submit to the Faculty Committee for Graduate Studies, through the Director of the programme, a final report on his/her Clinical Research Project. Students will only be allowed to sit the final examination at the end of Year 4, after submission and acceptance of the Clinical Research Project.

Assessment

Continuous assessment of the candidate’s performance is carried out by his/her supervisors who are members of the Specialty Board in Psychiatry. The Year 1 Part I (Basic Sciences) examination will be held at the end of Year 1 and candidates will be evaluated in the Basic Sciences (Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology and Psychology). If the assessments are found to be unsatisfactory, the Specialty Board may recommend one or more of the following: 

a) Counseling/academic warning in writing

b) Remedial work

c) Repeating the unsatisfactory rotations

d) Withdrawal from the programme, if poor performance persists