Master of Science (MSc) in Liaison Psychiatry: Integrative Care of Physical and Mental Health

The aims of the postgraduate programme "Liaison Psychiatry: Integrative Care of Physical and Mental Health"  include the education and research in the broad field of Liaison Psychiatry, the exercise of which mainly concerns the operation of the Psychiatric Units of General Hospitals, as well as other levels health care.

In particular, the practice of Liaison Psychiatry concerns the provision of integrative psychiatric care to people with coexisting mental and physical illness, to mentally ill patients with predominant physical manifestations, to the prevention (primary, secondary, tertiary) of the psychological reaction to the physical illness, to the improvement of quality of life of patients with mental and physical illness and to the awareness improvement and training of health personnel in the detection of mental disorders.

Liaison Psychiatry is internationally one of the most recognized specializations of Psychiatry in many countries (USA, United Kingdom, Finland, etc.). 

The purpose of the Programme is the training of postgraduate students in the broad and growing field of providing comprehensive care for physical and mental health, both psychiatrists and doctors of other specialties as well as professionals in fields related to psychiatry and the other medical specialties, who will participate in it, combining high-level academic and research abilities with valuable practical experience. A high priority of the Programme is the promotion of research in the field.

It also aims, upon completion of the Programem, for the students to have acquired a high level of knowledge, attitudes and skills of their subject, so that they can work in psychiatric Units of General Hospitals, Primary Health Care Units, Social Medicine Units as well as various state and non-governmental organizations,  and structures related to the integrative care of physical and mental health.

Learning Outcomes of the Postgraduate Programme

The curriculum of the postgraduate programme aims to provide comprehensive theoretical, research, and clinical training to students in the applied field of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.

Upon completing the programme, graduates—including psychiatrists, physicians from other specialties, and professionals from related fields—will be trained and specialized in the broad and evolving field of integrated care for physical and mental health. They will acquire the necessary knowledge, attitudes, and skills for this purpose.

Specifically, upon successful completion of the programme requirements, graduates will be able to:

1. Understand the principles and application areas of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
2. Comprehend the interaction between biological, psychological, and social parameters in health and disease.
3. Know the process and methods of clinical and psychometric assessment within the context of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
4. Conduct clinical and psychometric assessments of patients proficiently in the context of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
5. Understand research methods in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and apply them while adhering to ethical standards.
6. Recognize common clinical problems managed by the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry department in general hospitals.
7. Identify psychiatric symptoms that may develop on the basis of physical illnesses and understand the connection between psychiatry and other medical specialties.
8. Understand special issues related to the care of unique patient populations in general hospitals.
9. Be familiar with appropriate psychiatric and psychotherapeutic interventions for patients in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
10. Recognize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration with healthcare professionals on health and illness issues.
11. Consistently work as members of interdisciplinary teams in general hospitals, focusing on optimal patient care.
12. Be acquainted with the basic principles of biostatistics and their applications in mental health sciences.
13. Manage and analyze statistical research data.
14. Apply the acquired knowledge in daily practice.
15. Pursue lifelong education and continuously advance their knowledge and skills.
16. Uphold high standards of professional responsibility, conscientiousness, integrity, and accountability, adhering to medical ethical codes.

Additionally, postgraduate programme graduates will be able to:

1. Staff psychiatric units in general hospitals, primary health care units, social medicine units, and various state and non-state organizations/structures related to physical and mental health care.
2. Hold positions requiring a high level of knowledge and skills in the subject area.
3. Conduct research that advances knowledge in the field of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
4. Pursue a PhD, provided they have demonstrated the appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes and are deemed suitable for such advancement.

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