The OPD runs on all working days except the Institute-specified public holidays
The OPD Registration timings are, all days except Saturday 09.00 hours; Saturday 08.00-10.30 hours.
All new cases are seen in the WIC (Rooms 205-206), and all old cases without a designated clinician being available in the Follow-up Clinic (Rooms 207-208)
The following Specialty Clinics also operate, by appointment, on designated days and run by the SR under supervision of particular Faculty members:
- Lithium Clinic (Tuesday)
- MPC (Wednesday)
- Disability Clinic (Saturday)
Generally the SR posted in Room No 205 in the OPD is designated as the coordinator of the OPD services; he/she also sees the WIC
All SRs are expected to:
- Participate in all academic activities of the Department
- Guide and help JRs in their academic activities
- Carry out research projects under the faculty supervision
Duties of SRs in Walk-In-Clinic (Rooms 205 & 206)
Patient Management:
- To reach OPD by 8.00 AM, except on the days with academic teaching, when they must reach OPD by 9.15 AM
- To assess the Walk-In patients thoroughly, and begin the treatment and give date for detailed workup of the patient at the earliest
- To consult a Faculty if there is any confusion regarding patient management
- To inform the respective Faculty about cases with high risk, medico-legal, certificate for illness/leave/chronic disease, or any other significant issue
- To stay in constant touch with JRs for all their common cases, especially who are critically sick or having any medico legal issues
- To regularly supervise the JRs for their psychotherapy cases/sessions
Administrative Work:
SR Room 205
- To liaise between the OPD staff and Faculty I/C OPD; he must work to resolve whenever there is any confusion regarding administrative work
- To ensure that the OPD services are running in good order
- To ensure the proper up-keep of OPD and must coordinate for all OPD services/work i.e. record keeping, purchase or indent
- To organize an administrative meeting periodically in consultation with the OPD Faculty I/C
- To manage safe-keeping of MLC case files /Cupboard keys and updating of MLC Register (including issue/receipt of MLC files). MLC files are to be handled by the 205 SR, exclusively and anyone who needs these files is expected to return it preferably in person to him/her. The safe custody of the MLC files is to be emphasized during the handover-takeover of duties of SRs
- To ensure the entry of statistical data in the SPSS on a regular basis
SR Rooms 205 & 206
- To allot cases for detailed assessment to JRs the cases before 8:15 am (by 9:30 am on the academic days).
- To ensure that all JRs must reach OPD on time daily
- To ensure that all JRs do their detailed work-up of cases within the allotted time (before 12 noon)
- To ensure regularly that JRs follow their common cases and put the proper notes in their files
- To ensure that the record-meetings are held regularly and the JRs are following the instructions, especially the management part (investigation, treatment etc.)
Duties of SRs Follow up Clinic (Rooms 207 & 208)
Patient management
- To run the follow up clinic for all old cases for maintaining continuity of care
- To inform the respective Faculty members about the cases who are high risk/MLC/require certificate for diagnosis/leave/chronic disease/other important issues
- To closely supervise the JRs for the management of all patients
- To assess follow up cases who have come without an appointment and the treating doctor is not available
Administrative role
- To reach the OPD by 8 AM (except on academic days, by 9.15 AM)
- To ensure that all JRs must reach on time everyday
- To ensure that JRs are following their patients regularly and putting proper notes in their file
- To inform the respective Consultants in charge regarding the status of the patients and JRs performance
- The responsibility of holding record meetings and supervising the JRs, as mentioned already
- Get in touch with Faculty I/C OPD for guidance or in case of any difficulty
Admission Register
- To maintain admission Register for those patients who need admission
- To maintain admission lists for routine and priority admissions
- To liaise with ward SR and C-L SR regarding the availability of beds
- To inform the patients for admission, according to the waiting list
- To maintain SPSS and word file of updated waiting list, to be sent to Faculty I/C OPD
Duties of SR Posted in Special Clinics
All the SRs posted in respective specialty are expected to maintain their Register, and regularly inform the respective Faculty I/C about the status of patients, patient data, and JRs‖ performance.
General Instructions:
- OPD start at 8.00 AM (except the Departmental academic days, at 9.15 AM)
- F/U OPDs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. F/U OPD for CAP on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
- To maintain a log of activities of MPC, Lithium Clinic, DC and Psychotherapy
- Allot cases for workup for disability and psychotherapy by 8.30AM on routine days (9.15AM on academic activity days)
- Maintain a log of patients undergoing psychotherapy
- Supervise the work of JRs posted in psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
- Runs in all working days
- Allot psychotherapy cases to JRs
- Do psychotherapy if SR doing it him/herself
- To see follow up cases on regular basis
- Case discussion with JRs.
- Ensure psychotherapy entries in SPSS and discuss it with Faculty on monthly basis MPC (Wednesday)
- To see MPC walk in cases on a daily basis
- To give dates for detailed assessment
- Discuss MPC cases with JRs and advise management
- To give non pharmacological treatment to MPC cases
- Supervise JRs
- Maintain MPC Register and SPSS data
- Receive applications from concerned Faculty I/C
- Allot dates to patients for disability assessment
- Supervise assessment
- Ensure precise entries in all the respective file
- Dispatch filled assessment report to CRD
Lithium clinic
- It runs on Tuesdays
- To see follow up cases on patients on Lithium
- Receive lithium level reports
- Maintain Lithium Clinic numbers (LiC No) in a file
- Ensure lithium level supervision of the patients
- Maintain Lithium Clinic Register
Service Responsibilities of Junior Residents (JRs) in OPD
- JRs posted in the OPD are expected to reach OPD and report to SR Room 205 by 9.15 AM on days with morning academics (other days by 8 AM)
- They do detailed work-up of the cases given appointment for that. It includes a detailed history, physical and mental examination to establish the diagnosis and then to chalk out a comprehensive treatment plan
- Each such case assessment must take 1 hour (never more than 1.5 hours). Each day they will have to do detailed work up of at least two patients; the SR of the respective clinic will decide the number of cases allotted to each JR
- Each assessed case is to be discussed with a Faculty/SR for finalizing the diagnoses and plan of management, which has to be recorded in the case notes
- They are responsible for providing the longitudinal care to the patients they have worked up
- To minimize the number of drop-outs every JR must keep a diary for the appointments of their patients. This diary should also include patient’s psychiatry number and phone number so that in case of missed appointments they can be contacted
- They carry out the active treatment of the patients under the supervision of the Consultants and /or SRs. They are also responsible for the adequate maintenance of the case files. They must record each follow up carefully
- In follow up notes must mention the following details: present status of the patient, treatment adherence, any side effects, any important psycho-social event, and further investigation and treatment advised
- In addition, JRs will carry out other duties that the SR I/C may allocate for better patient care and administration of the OPD. They make timely entries in Psychotherapy-Register to the special clinic SR for their psychotherapy cases
- JRs posted in psychotherapy have to attend referral of patient for appropriate psychotherapeutic interventions like JPMR, BT, CBTetc on a daily basis. On Wednesday JRs have to do MPC work up and discuss it with concerned consultants or SRs. In addition, to carry out various therapies like Couple therapy, Master and Johnson etc. Carry out disability assessment and discuss it with the consultant in charge on Saturdays. JRs have to maintain a log of patients for disability assessment
OPD Record Maintenance
- Walk-In Proforma and face-sheets of each day are maintained by the PSW for the immediate past three months and by the Record Room for the earlier period
- Separate files are made for appointment/detailed assessment cases
- Each case file must contain a psychiatry number, socio-demographic sheet and a Walk-In Proforma
- Faculty’s remarks and follow-up notes are entered in the same file
- All files are kept in the record room of the Psychiatry OPD except for actual/potential medico-legal cases, which are kept under lock and key with the SR Room 205
- All records are confidential. No patient, patient’s relative or any other people except the staff members of the Department of Psychiatry, who have a legitimate access, are allowed to handle the case files
- Case record meeting is held on every Monday afternoon in rotation with the Consultants and SRs to scrutinize the out-patient records regarding proper maintenance of these files, as well as to finalize the diagnosis and guidelines about the management difficulties. The Residents, respective Consultants, and the OPD PSW attend these meetings
- Before removal of OPD case files from the record room for any purpose, by the staff of the Department, entry of details of file and name of the person responsible/taking the file should be duly entered in the Register kept with OPD Clerk
- All JRs and SRs should make sure that no file is left unattended at any place, at any time
Role of PSW, OPD
Clinical Work Assignments
- To fill the socio-demographic profile sheet of the Walk-In Proforma of all the new patients attending in respective areas
- To assess the needy patients for poor free status and facilitate the same if there is a need
- To enter the data of Walk-In Proforma into the SPSS on day to day basis
- To enter the work-up data into the SPSS after the record meetings
- To organize and participate in group educational meetings for the patients in OPD
- To carry out psychosocial work up as per the format of the patient assigned to them by various faculty members
- To arrange and do home visits, meeting with employers, visiting workplace, rehabilitation services, legal services etc., for the patients assigned to them by various faculty members
- To attend various camps, attend courts and educational programs organized by the Department
- Liaise closely with SRs posted in the respective areas for assistance and completion of work allotted to them
- Liaison with hospital authorities to facilitate poor free status, supply of free medications, liaison with MSWs of other Departments for treatment of patients etc
Academic
- Attend the Departmental Academics – CC (one of the two PSW in OPD by turn); Seminar (Whole Departmental and specialty section). Can actively contribute for their part of assessment and intervention
- May be assigned teaching responsibilities for various educational courses run in the institute like physiotherapy, speech and audiology
- To participate in the research projects of various faculty members
- To take initiative in conducting research under the guidance of faculty members
Administrative
- May be assigned clinical and administrative tasks as per the need of the Department
- To attend various Departmental administrative meeting
- To organize and procuring medicines for community camps
Role of Vocational Guidance Instructor
Vocational Guidance Instructor are one of the important members of the clinical treating team and should be actively involved in psychological assessments, counseling and vocational guidance of the patients
Clinical Work Assignments
- To do assessments of needs, interests, aptitude and vocational abilities of patients with mental illness
- To do psychometric assessments (e.g., SLD, intelligence assessment etc.,) of patients of all ages referred to them in a structured format
- To do structured psychological therapies (like psycho-behavioral interventions for subjects with intellectual disability, anger management, family counseling etc.,) of cases referred to them by the faculty
- To guide patients and family members regarding disability benefits, vocational placements etc
- Follow-up evaluation, maintaining records of the patients and inform the outcome to the concerned faculty
- Education and counseling of the parents/ caregivers of the patients
- To organize and participate in group educational meetings (ID group, Other Disability group etc.) for the patients in the respective areas
- To enter the work done in the SPSS as per the policy
- Contribute in other works related to patient care and in accordance with Departmental needs
- Attend the Departmental Academics – CC; seminar (whole Departmental and specialty section). Can actively contribute for their part of assessment and intervention
- Training of Residents and trainees about psychological tests and interventions
- May be assigned teaching responsibilities for various educational courses run in the
- To participate in the research projects of various faculty members
- To take initiative in conducting research under the guidance of faculty members
Administrative
- May be assigned clinical and administrative tasks as per the needs of the Department or the Institute
- To attend various departmental administrative meetings
- To assist in purchase of various psychological tests/instruments related to vocational and other psychological assessments
Role of Clinical Psychologist
Psychologists are one of the important members of the clinical treating team and should be actively involved in psychological assessments and interventions
Clinical Work Assignments
- To do psychometric assessments of patients of all ages referred to them in a structured format
- To do structured psychological therapies (like anger management counseling, family counseling, non dynamic and dynamic psychotherapies, behavioral therapies etc.) of cases referred to them by the Faculty/Residents
- Follow-up evaluation, maintaining records of the patients and inform the outcome to the concerned Faculty
- To organize and participate in group educational meetings for the patients in the respective areas
- To enter the work done in the SPSS as per the policy
- Contribute in other works related to patient care and in accordance with departmental needs
- May be assigned teaching responsibilities for various educational courses run in the Institute, like in physiotherapy, speech and audiology etc
- To participate in the research projects of various faculty members
- To take initiative in conducting research under the guidance of faculty members
Administrative
- May be assigned clinical and administrative tasks as per the needs of the Department or the Institute
- To attend various Departmental administrative meetings
- To assist in printing, purchase and maintenance of various psychological tests
Role of Play Therapist
Clinical:
- The play therapist shall carry out psychological assessments and generate a psychological formulation for a child/ adolescent when specifically referred for the same by a consultant. In all such cases, the play therapist shall be part of the treating team unless specified otherwise
- He/she will undertake specific therapeutic interventions under supervision (play therapy, behavior therapy, skill building, SLD remediation, occupational therapy, attachment work, supportive therapy, etc.)
- Complete documentation of assessments and interventions by him/ her is mandatory
- They will maintain a separate register for all such cases in which they are carrying out therapeutic interventions under supervision of a consultant
- He/she will use play to prepare child for treatment like medicines, behavior therapies and to distract them during a procedure
- He/she will plan and carry out therapy sessions using art and craft activities, toys (such as puppets, cars and dolls) and creative arts (including drawing, clay, sand movement, music and therapeutic story telling)
- He/she will develop symbolic communication with children, which involves making a connection between the signs, symbols and actions the child creates through play and how these relate to their experiences (even using technique of psychodrama etc)
- He/she will create an in-depth therapeutic relationship, which promotes positive change in the child by helping them to help themselves
- He/she will help them reach their developmental goals
- To help them regain their skills which they have lost due to illness and also help in learning new skills
- To observe child during play and share their findings with the consultant I/C and the treating team
- He/she will be responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the play room in their area (Ward/ OPD) in liaison with the respective SR
- He/she will carry out a psycho-social work-up when indicated (as directed by a Consultant)
- Liaise closely with SRs posted in the respective areas for assistance and completion ofwork allotted to them
- Attend the Departmental Academics – CC (Whole Departmental and specialty section); Seminar (Whole Departmental and specialty section), psychotherapy forum (Specialty)and research forum. They are expected to contribute actively for their part of assessment and intervention
- May be assigned teaching responsibilities for various educational courses run in the institute like physiotherapy, speech and audiology
Research
- To participate in the research projects of various faculty members
- To take initiative in conducting research under the guidance of faculty members
Administrative
- May be assigned clinical and administrative tasks as per the need of the Department
- To attend various Departmental administrative meeting
- Contribute in other works related to patient care and in accordance with Departmental needs