Schizophrenia Precursors & Prodromal States (Clinical Elective)

2 units

This is an opportunity for trainees to gain knowledge and experience related to evaluation of children and adolescents who may be at high risk for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. It is mainly a reading elective, in which students are required to read scientific related to the topic of the elective, discuss readings with the course director, and write a brief paper reviewing existing literature on a related sub-topic. There may also be opportunity to see about 1-2 patients per week through an outpatient consultation clinic which evaluates patients with characteristics suggestive of prodromal schizophrenia (such as new-onset attenuated psychotic symptoms along with recent deterioration in functioning) and/or early life characteristics that may indicate risk for developing schizophrenia later in life. Since the full symptoms of schizophrenia are often preceded by a wide range of childhood behavioral and developmental abnormalities, this rotation helps trainees integrate information regarding the continuity between childhood development and adult psychopathology. There may be opportunities to learn how to administer and score specialized assessments. The amount of direct clinical care of patients is usually not more than one half-day per week.