Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Medicine

Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Medicine Details

DPM is a 2-year post graduate diploma in psychological medicine, meant for the medical graduates who want to make their career in Clinical Psychiatry & Mental Health Services. As the spread of mental health awareness takes off in India and globally, the demand for trained psychiatric professionals is growing. Individuals who complete the DPM are essential in providing diagnosis, treatment and monitoring for their respective mental health illnesses such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorder, substance use derangements along with childhood and adolescent behavioural problems and geriatric conditions.

Lifestyle changes, stress, academic pressures, substance abuse, social isolation and digital dependence are increasing the burden of mental health disorders among urban as well as rural populations. Consequently, the need for trained mental health professionals in hospitals, rehabilitation units, psychiatric clinics, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government programmes and private settings has gone up in numbers. 

DPM (Diploma in Psychological Medicine) is a theoretical, clinical and practical understanding of psychiatry, through postings in Psychiatry Wards, Emergency Units/Casualty Counseling Centers/Mental Health Centre and visits to Community Mental Health Programmes. During training, students learn how to evaluate patients and respond to diagnostic instruments; identify risk factors; prescribe for the major mental disorders at a rudimentary level while learning techniques of psychotherapy and participating in crisis care (e.g. management of severe psychosis or suicidal attempts).

The DPM curriculum is well structured, practical, and patient-focused and prepares medical graduates to manage diverse psychiatric emergencies and long-term mental health diseases. The programme will also train students to appreciate the social, biological and psychological aspects of mental health for a rounded understanding of patient care. Many DPM alumni work in multispecialty hospitals, government healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centres or community mental health centres and NGOs focusing on mental health awareness.

Such centres are also located at Bangalore, where there are mental health research centres, advanced psychiatric hospitals, corporate hospitals and counselling centers. DPM graduates have ample opportunities in Karnataka as well as throughout India. Emergence of emotional hygiene, counselling psychology and psychiatric consultancy in work places, schools, as well as community maturity for long term perspective has opened up avenues for doctors with Diploma in Psychological Medicine.

Course Highlights