Psychiatrist

Overview

Psychiatrists diagnose, assess, treat and prevent human mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. Psychiatric Registrars training as Psychiatrists are included here.

Day-to-day

• assessing patients' mental and physical status to determine the nature and extent of mental, emotional and behavioural disorders
• assessing patients' medical, psychiatric and psychological histories
• examining patients to determine general physical condition
• ordering laboratory tests, imaging, neuropsychological tests and other diagnostic procedures
• examining the results of tests and examinations to determine the most appropriate forms of treatment
• prescribing and administering medication, psychotherapy, and other physical treatments and rehabilitation programs
• arranging admission to hospitals and providing in-patient treatment
• consulting, supervising and working with other Medical Practitioners and Health Professionals
• determining whether patients require involuntary treatment in accordance with relevant mental health acts
• assisting courts and other statutory bodies in managing patients in legal and forensic settings
• teaching medical students and registrars, and assessing their progress by administering tests.

Considerations

• stressful.