Dissociative Disorders Curriculum

Abstract

Abstract This curriculum is designed to educate psychiatry residents about dissociative disorders and ensure that they can intelligently screen and either treat or refer patients with these disorders. Bibliographic, didactic, and evaluation materials are included. The curriculum is a four-part didactic series. Three PowerPoint presentations comprise the first, second, and fourth sessions in the series. The third session is a patient interview of a patient with a dissociative disorder. Also included in the resource are three quizzes to be given at the beginning of the second and third sessions and at the conclusion of the fourth session. A bibliography of recommended readings to be done prior to each session is included. Finally, there is a retrospective pre/post attitudinal questionnaire designed to assess changes in learner attitudes over the course of the didactic series. This is the only structured curriculum designed specifically to teach dissociative disorders of which I am aware. The retrospective pre-post attitudinal questionnaire demonstrated statistically significant positive changes in attitudes towards dissociative disorders following instruction. Knowledge quizzes yielded disappointingly low results for unclear reasons. The most helpful part of the program was found to be the patient interview.

Keywords

• Depersonalization
• Dissociative Disorders
• Amnesia
• Dissociative Fugue
• Depersonalization Disorder
• Multiple Personality Disorder