Psychiatry

General information:
Psychiatry is one of the oldest and largest medical specialties. Psychological symptoms and disorders are very common in the general population and especially in the more socially vulnerable groups. Psychiatry is also relevant for medicine as a whole in many ways. Psychiatric comorbidity is very common in general hospitals and nursing homes. Older people are more vulnerable in this regard and are also a fast-growing group. Mental and behavioral disorders of children and adolescents are receiving increasing attention. Psychiatrists work interdisciplinaryly with other professions, such as psychologists. Communicative and psychotherapeutic aspects are almost always part of the treatment and the focus is not only on the individual patient but also on his immediate surroundings. Psychiatrists are therefore broadly orientated medical specialists.

The University Center for Psychiatry (UCP) provides a wide range of psychiatric basic care (for the city of Groningen and surrounding area) as well as specialized care (for the Northern Netherlands). The care is aimed at primairy psychoses, bipolar and other mood disorders, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, and developmental disorders (ADHD and autistic disorder) in adults. In collaboration with the Department of Internal Medicine a program is developed concerning somatoform disorders. The UCP is working on a care program for the geriatric care and is working with geriatrics at the Center for Geriatric Medicine. The consultative psychiatry occupies an important place in the UMCG.

Treatment provision is organized into four sections: General Psychiatry, Intensive Psychiatry (including Consultation Psychiatry), Emotional Disorders and Psychosis. There is also a 24-hour emergency service and treatment support functions housed in a facility unit.

The main theme of scientific research is formed by emotional disorders (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder) in the context of the life course. This study is epidemiological, basic, patient-related and therapeutic in nature and focuses on underlying causal and self-maintaining mechanisms. A second research theme is schizophrenia, in collaboration with Rob Giel Research Center and the Neuroimaging Center. It focuses on both fundamental and health-related topics.

Offer for Students:
Within the UCP there is a range of possibilities for students. In addition to regular activities as semi-doctor and scientific courses, electives and projects, JSM activities (via the JSM website), etc., we always look at the individual needs of different students. Thus, both the semi-doctor courses and scientific courses are often filled to personal interests and there is also the possibility of smaller research projects to see if research is something for you. We also have a close cooperation with Accare (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) and mental health care institutions in the region, where they have possibilities for students as well. In short, very much is possible.

Contact:
Send an email to the UCP medical education coordinator Anouk Juurlink, a.m.juurlink@umcg.nl