Social Determinants of Mental Health Convening-Incorporating SDOMH into psychiatric training and education

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In the discussion led by Elian, a psychiatrist and faculty member at Columbia, two panelists, Dr. Dolores Malaspina and Dr. Paul Rosenfield, discussed integrating social determinants of mental health into psychiatric education. Dr. Malaspina, a geneticist and epidemiologist, and Dr. Rosenfield, the Director of Psychiatry Education at Mount Sinai, emphasized the necessity of embedding social context in psychiatric training. They addressed the historical shifts from social determinants to a brain-focused approach due to political changes, such as during the Reagan administration, which steered attention towards individual genetics. They advocated for a more comprehensive curriculum that includes the biopsychosocial model ensuring that social contexts are not ignored in clinical practice and training.<br /><br />The panelists also discussed utilizing real-life examples and field experiences, like home visits and engagements with social settings, to immerse trainees in the realities of their patients' environments. The conversation highlighted the need for collaboration among residency programs, involving faculty training in evolutionary biology, advocacy, and policy to tackle the broader issues driving psychiatric disorders. The aim is to equip practitioners with the knowledge and resources to address social determinants robustly, boosting advocacy and effective treatments within community contexts.

Keywords

psychiatric education

social determinants

biopsychosocial model

clinical practice

genetics

residency programs

advocacy

community contexts

evolutionary biology