HOSPITAL-BASED MULTIDISCIPLINARY TRAINING IN THE CARE OF SERIOUSLY MENTALLY-ILL PATIENTS

A four-week training program at a state hospital in Virginia familiarized undergraduate and graduate students in medicine, occupational therapy, pharmacy, psychiatric nursing, psychology, and social work with the range of care for chronic mentally ill patients. Designed to improve the training of mental health professionals and recruit mental health professionals to work in public mental health settings, the program included lectures, group discussions, field trips to community-based treatment and rehabilitation facilities, and supervised clinical experiences. Students who participated in the program reported being less discouraged about working with chronic mentally ill patients and more likely to choose careers in public psychiatric settings.