PRIMARY EXAMINATION IN PSYCHIATRY

THE SYLLABUS – COMPETENCIES TESTED

The candidate should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following subjects, and explain their relevance to psychiatry.

I. HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Pre-conception and prenatal influences on development Maturational process Specific aspect of development Family Maturation and ageing on individuals Position of older people in the society

II. PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND PSYCHOMETRICS

• Psychological Assessment 

• Principles of measurement

• Reliability and validity

• Intelligence (general and specific abilities), concept of IQ

• Measurement of Intelligence using specific test and limitations of their interpretations

• Neuropsychological assessment with specific reference to instrument used in clinical practice

• Statistics and Epidemiology

• Categorical and dimensional data

• Frequency and probability distribution

• Summary statistics and their presentation

• Null and experimental hypothesis, significance and confidence intervals

• Parametric and non-parametric statistics

• Sampling techniques

•  Epidemiology

• Treatment trials

III.SOCIAL SCIENCES

• Sociology and Social administration:

• Theories of Weber, Marx, Durkheim, Foucalt, Parsons, Goffman and Habermas.

• Understanding of social situation and cultural differences

• Agencies of socialization – family, peer, school, and media

• The community, kinship, marriage and family across cultures

• Social stratification and its theories, slavery, caste, class, social mobility, poverty and inequalities.

• Social change, urbanization, ageing and effect on health

• Concept of conformity and deviance – labeling behavior, stigma, disability and handicap

• Gender issues and psychopathology, rape, domestic violence and homosexuality

• Social causes of illness, life events, social support, expressed emotion and their role in psychopathology. Sick role and illness behavior.

• Types of Healthcare – self care, family care, community care, professional care, including traditional medicine, and other alternative form of care. Primary, secondary and tertiary care.

• Racism, migration and refugee status. 

• Basic Psychology

• Principles of learning theory

• Phenomena of visual and auditory perception

• Factors affecting memory, thought, personality, motivation and emotion

• Conscious and unconscious processes

• Neuropsychological processSocial Psychology

• Attitudes and how they are affected

• Self Psychology

• Interpersonal issues

• Leadership, social influences, power and obedience

• Inter-group behavior

• Phenomenon of Aggression

• Concept of Altruism

IV.NEUROSCIENCES

. Neuroanatomy of the Brain and related structures Types of cell found in the nervous system; Neurones and synapses; Glial cells and their roles General anatomy of the brain and functions of the lobes and some major gyri – The prefrontal cortex, cingulated gyrus and limbic system. Basic knowledge of cranial nerves and spinal cord anatomy.

. Blood supply and venous drainage of the central nervous system. 

. The cerebrospinal fluid and its circulation Anatomy of the basal ganglia, temporal lobes (hippocampal formation and amygdala).

. The major white matter connections in the brain (i.e corpus callosum, fornix, Papez circuit and other circuits relevant to integrated behavior).

Ascending and descending white matter tracts Major neurochemical pathways including: Nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, mesocortical and tubero-infundibular dopaminergic pathways

• Ascending noradrenergic pathways

• Acetylcholinergic pathways

• Glutamate pathways

• Serotonergic pathways

Neurophysiological Processes

. Basic knowledge of physiology of the neurons, synapses and receptors including synthesis and uptake of neurotransmitters. Basic knowledge of action potential, resting potential, ion influxes and channels is required.

. Physiology and anatomical pathways involved in the neural and endocrine systems involved in integrated behaviours including perception, pain, memory, motor function, arousal drives (sexual behavior, hunger and thirst) motivation and emotions including aggression, fear and stress. The disturbance of these functions with relevance to organic and non – organic psychiatric disorders.

. Neurodevelopmental model of psychiatric disorders and cerebral plasticityNeuroendocrine system, in particular the secretion of hypothalamic and pituitary hormones including posterior pituitary hormones. The release factor and feedback control.

. Physiology of arousal and sleep with particular reference to noradrenergic activity and the locus cereleus.

. Normal electroencephalogram (EEG) and evoked response techniques. Their application to the investigation of cerebral pathology, seizure disorder and psychiatric disorders. Including effects of drugs on EEG.

. Neurochemical Processes Transmitter synthesis, storage, release and function; ion-gated receptors and G-Protein linked receptors.

. Receptor structure and functions in relation to transmitters at both pre- and post-synaptic receptors.

. Basic pharmacology of noradrenalin, serotonin, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine and excitatory amino acids and their relationship to relevant psychiatric disorders.

. Neuropeptides, including corticotrophin releasing hormone, cholecystokinin, polypeptide P, enkephalins, endorphins, dynorphins.

. Effects of psychotropic drugs on neurotransmission 

V. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

Working knowledge of psychotropic drugs and their classification History of the development of psychotropic drugs General principles of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. Difference between route of administration and effect on availability.

Drugs and the blood brain barrier

Classification of psychotropic agents

Mechanisms of action, adverse effects, interactions, indications and contraindications of the various major psychotropic agents.Relevance of psychotropic drug monitoring; relationships, blood levels of psychotropic agents to therapeutic response, adverse effects and drug toxicity.The neurochemical effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy Common drug reactions in psychiatry

VI.GENETICS

The chromosomes, cell division, gene structure, transcription and translation. Genes and patterns of inheritanceTraditional genetic techniques including family, twin, and adoption studies. Principles of Molecular Genetics. Specific conditions with chromosomal abnormalities e.g. Down’s syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and velo-cardio-facial syndrome. Inherited conditions in psychiatric practice and genetic contribution to specific psychiatric disorders. Value of prenatal identification and genetic counseling.

Examination Format

The examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions in the best of five format from the areas stated in the curriculum.