Senior Psychiatry Scholars Program
Academic research is a cornerstone of the medical student's educational objective. Beginning with the class of 2009, all medical students at the University of Colorado School of Medicine are required to complete a scholarly project prior to graduation. For those students interested in research involving psychiatry, the Department of Psychiatry has a number of research opportunities.
The Psychiatry Scholars Program (PSP) is run in conjunction with the University of Colorado School of Medicine and meets the academic requirement of the medical student curriculum.
Mission
The Psychiatry Scholars Program, sponsored by the Department of Psychiatry, is designed to assist medical students in this process, by helping them choose a mentor and a project, and by providing ongoing coordination and support. The PSP focuses on the study of behavior in all aspects of medicine, including:
- the role of mental functioning, family support, and stress in medical illnesses;
- the impact of medical illnesses on behavior and cognition;
- and the study of illnesses of brain and behavior.
A lifespan approach, including studies of all age ranges, is a priority for the Program.
Selection of a Project
The Psychiatry Scholars Program coordinates involvement of medical students with a diverse group of faculty involved in a diverse range of academic pursuits. Opportunities exist in Program Development, Humanities, Heath Care Systems, Community Health, Education, and Research Programs.
Our mentors have already created potential research opportunities for this project. Students can identify potential projects by Title, Mentor, or Keyword.
Students should contact and then arrange to meet with the mentor to determine if there is a good match. (Drs. Michael Weissberg, Randy Ross, and Sharon Hunter are available to consult on possible mentor choices or if there is an area of interest not covered in the list of projects.
Once a mentor/mentee relationship has been established, the student must complete the Senior Scholarship Plan . The Scholarship Plan is written with the assistance of and signed by the preceptor, and submitted, and approved before work on the project can begin.
Other Opportunities for Medical Students in the Department of Psychiatry
Topics in Psychiatry (Psychiatry Interest Group). This course is designed by and for medical students to cover topics in Behavioral Medicine.
Psychiatry Steering Committee (elective). A medical student Steering Committee develops a list of topics in behavioral medicine of interest to the students, setting the curriculum for the “Topics in Psychiatry” didactic course. The Steering Committee then works with Dr Michael Weissberg, Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Psychiatry, to identify appropriate speakers from both within and outside the medical school. Interested students should contact Dr. Weissberg.
Aspen Conference (elective). This 3-day course is held in Aspen, Colorado every summer and focuses on a specific clinical issue, such as motivational interviewing, difficult to diagnose behavioral problems, etc. Financial support for student registration and lodging may be available.
