APA’s 2002 Institute on Psychiatric Services will feature a series of broad-based and diverse sessions designed to keep psychiatrists up to date on developments in physical medicine as well as in the mental health arena.

"Today’s psychiatrist needs to have basic medical knowledge that is diverse, multifaceted, and relevant to his or her practice," said Shastri Swarminathan, M.D., the local arrangements consultant to the institute’s Scientific Program Committee. He noted that many patients now expect their psychiatrist to address physical health issues that can have wide-ranging psychosocial impact, for example, problems related to obesity or women’s urological health.

In addition, with increasing numbers of their patients seeking alternative treatments, psychiatrists need to be knowledgeable about these treatments and how they may interact with medications they are prescribing.

All of these issues will be addressed in the institute’s medical update series. It will begin Wednesday, October 9, with Kenneth Printenm, M.D., presenting a session on new trends in obesity and surgical options. On Thursday, October 10, Martha Howard, M.D., will discuss alternative medicine as it may apply to psychiatric practice. On Friday, October 11, Herbert Sohn, M.D., will lead a discussion on urological issues of women in transition. The series will conclude on Saturday, October 12, with a discussion by William Werner, M.D., of laboratory investigations and their relevance in psychiatry.

Additional information and copies of the institute’s Preliminary Program booklet is available by phone at (888) 357-7924 or on APA’s Web site at www.psych.org by clicking on the institute logo. ▪