A neural systems-based neurobiology and neuropsychiatry course: integrating biology, psychodynamics, and psychology in the psychiatric curriculum.
OBJECTIVE
Psychotherapy and biological psychiatry remain divided in psychiatry residency curricula. Behavioral neurobiology and neuropsychiatry provide a systems-level framework that allows teachers to integrate biology, psychodynamics, and psychology.


METHODS
The authors detail the underlying assumptions and outline of a neural systems-based neuroscience course they teach at the National Capital Consortium Psychiatry Residency Program. They review course assessment reports and classroom observations.


RESULTS
Self-report measures and teacher observations are encouraging. By the end of the course, residents are able to discuss both neurobiological and psychodynamic/psychological concepts of distributed biological neural networks. They verbalize an understanding that psychology is biology, that any distinction is artificial, and that both are valuable.


CONCLUSIONS
A neuroscience curriculum founded on the underlying principles of behavioral neurobiology and neuropsychiatry is inherently anti-reductionistic and facilitates the acquisition of detailed information as well as critical thinking and cross-disciplinary correlations with psychological theories and psychotherapy.
Lacy
Timothy
T
Department of Psychiatry, Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20762, USA. timothy.lacy@pentagon.af.mil
Hughes
John D
JD
D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003479:Curriculum; D004493:Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009446:Neurobiology / Q000193:education*; D019370:Observation; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000193:education; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D011584:Psychology / Q000193:education*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*