Journal Entry

Desired Clinical Skills for Students to Achieve

Confident (Can complete independently)

Mostly confident (Can complete with supervision)

Beginning (Have performed with supervision or need supervision to feel confident)

New (Have never performed or does not apply)

Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation skills in: 

Recognizing clinical signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness 

X

Differentiating between pathophysiological and psychopathological conditions 

X

Performing and interpreting a comprehensive and/or interval history and physical examination (including laboratory and diagnostic studies) 

X

Performing and interpreting a mental status examination 

X

Performing and interpreting a psychosocial assessment and family psychiatric history 

X

Performing and interpreting a functional assessment (activities of daily living, occupational, social, leisure, educational).

X

Diagnostic reasoning skill in:

Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology of mental illnesses through discussion for different age groups and mental illnesses

X

Developing and prioritizing a differential diagnoses list

X

Formulating diagnoses according to DSM 5-TR based on assessment data 

X

Differentiating between normal/abnormal age-related physiological and psychological symptoms/changes

X

Psychotherapeutic Treatment Planning:

Provide psychoeducation to individuals and/or any caregivers

X

Promote health and disease prevention techniques

X

Self-Assessment skill:

Develop SMART goals for practicum experiences 

X

Evaluating outcomes of practicum goals and modify plan as necessary 

X

Documenting and reflecting on learning experiences

X

Professional skills:

Maintains professional boundaries and therapeutic relationship with clients and staff

X

Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to improve clinical practice in mental health settings 

X

Identifies ethical and legal dilemmas with possible resolutions

X

Demonstrates non-judgmental practice approach and empathy

X

Practices within scope of practice

X

Selecting and implementing appropriate screening instrument(s) and interpreting results:

Demonstrates selecting the correct screening instrument appropriate for the clinical situation 

X

Implements the screening instrument efficiently and effectively with the clients

X

Interprets results for screening instruments accurately

X

Identifies the need to refer to another specialty provider when applicable

X

Accurately documents recommendations for psychiatric consultations when applicable

X

I believe my strengths lie within who I am as a person and the way I treat other people. Having a background that is usually different than other individuals in my professional career allows me to empathize with individuals of a wide variety of different backgrounds. I am always able to show great respect for people, my colleagues and especially for my patients and their families. I take a genuine interest in who they each are as individuals and try to see things from their perspective. I believe I recognize and appreciate the differences of others very well. I show respect to everyone and their different cultures and beliefs. I believe my presence makes the environment more welcoming which overall allows the patients and their families to feel comfortable around me. Their comfortability with me allows them to confide in me and gather accurate information needed for their treatment.

There are areas in my clinical skills that have the opportunity for growth within my professional level and my skills. I believe I can use improvements in my confidence on the field. Although I am comfortable with communicating with the patients, I want to learn how to gain more confident in differentiating between pathophysiological and psychopathological conditions. By me spending this 11 weeks in practicum, I will gain constant exposure that will help me learn how to differentiate between the two conditions. I believe the constant exposure will allow me to build my confidence on the field. I also believe I have the opportunity to grow in my level of communication with the doctor. Constantly spending time reporting back to the doctor helps improve my psych knowledge and verbal skills.

1. My goal for the next 11 week rotation is to familiarize myself with the difference between pathophysiological and psychopathological treatments during my clinical skill training so I can apply it in patient care.

a. Objective: To read, study and review the course material throughout this practicum program in order to gain the knowledge I need to improve my confidence.

b. Objective: To participate in clinical practicum by conducting patient exams and reflecting on the findings to increase my knowledge.

c. Objective: To practice multiple times under my preceptors supervision.

2. My second goal by the end of this clinical rotation is to learn more about how differentiating between normal and abnormal ages are related to physiological and psychological symptoms and changes.

a. Objective: Learn how to effectively communicate with my preceptor and ask questions.

b. Objective: Become more proficient with knowing the symptoms of physiological and psychological conditions.

c. Objective: Implement age appropriate treatment with the assistance of my preceptor.

3. My third goal is to perform and interpret a mental status examination by myself and feel confident by the end of this rotation.

a. Objective: I will review the course material and supplement resources that I have already learned throughout the course.

b. Objective: I will be performing more examinations and interpreting the examinations with my preceptor.

c. Objective: I will familiarize myself with the type of exams each patient may need.