Psychiatry Elective Course Description

John Iwuc, M.D.
john.iwuc@state.ma.us

Contact: Jennifer Hitchcock
508-856-4081

This elective is designed to expose students interested in child or general psychiatry, pediatrics or primary care to intensive multidisciplinary adolescent inpatient psychiatric treatment in a state of the art new facility, the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital. Our patients have very severe and complicated conditions, difficult social situations, often with significant trauma and abuse histories, and sometimes complicated by legal issues.  We strive to use a multidisciplinary, strength based, future oriented, trauma sensitive, and youth centered approach.  Due to the short term elective and the youth’s attachment issues, student participation in team /group activities is emphasized over one on one contact with the youth.  Helpful “attitudes” toward doing long-term work with multi-problem poor prognosis patients with extreme social/family/legal situations will be emphasized. Work day: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri., no w/e or evenings. Students will have opportunities to better understand their unique interviewing style, their hidden conceptual models, and the motivations behind their questions.  Students can identify their “growing edge.” Potential students are encouraged to discuss this rotation with past third or fourth year students. Preference will be given to students who have discussed their motivations and expectations with the third year clerkship coordinators and with Dr. Iwuc (john.iwuc@state.ma.us  or at 508-368-3752) before applying.  Availability depends on overall psychiatric coverage and the scheduling of UMMC 3^rd year students who also rotate here.  Students from Non UMass schools should follow the usual visiting student process rather than contact Dr. Iwuc directly.

Note: N/A

Location: Worcester Recovery Center & Hospital, Hospital Drive, 309 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA 01605