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Overview

The principles and practice of forensic psychiatry.

This is a specialist mental health paper with an emphasis on developing clinical skills and knowledge that can be applied to both beginning practice and advanced practice in a specialist area. The paper is based on an acknowledgement of the Treaty of Waitangi as the founding document of New Zealand. We are pleased to offer this paper to students with a diverse range of experience of forensic psychiatry. Previous experience of teaching forensic psychiatry at postgraduate level has indicated that this combination of both beginning and experienced students is very effective in the learning process, leading to more stimulating group discussions, whilst meeting the specific learning needs of students.

About this paper

Paper title Forensic Psychiatry
Subject Psychological Medicine
EFTS 0.2500
Points 30 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (Distance learning)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $3,486.75
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Limited to
MHealSc, PGCertHealSc, PGDipHealSc
Notes
Students will require evidence of suitable clinical experience to be admitted to this paper.
Eligibility
Must be a graduate or possess an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years' full-time tertiary study and have experience of or be currently working in a mental health setting.
Contact

psychmed.uoc@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Convenor: Associate Professor James Foulds

Paper Structure

PSME407 is taught via a series of two-day workshops complemented by self-directed learning using online study materials. The workshops are delivered by leading New Zealand forensic mental health professionals from diverse professional disciplines.

This content of the paper includes the history and structure of forensic mental health services in New Zealand; violence assessment; ethical and legal frameworks; and interdisciplinary rehabilitation approaches for people with mental illness who have had contact with the justice system.

Teaching Arrangements

Four two-day block courses. Two blocks are held in Christchurch and two blocks online via Zoom. Attendance at block days is compulsory.

Between block courses, self-directed learning is encouraged with the provision of a study guide and self-assessment questions to assist with preparation for the next workshop.

Textbooks

All textbooks and other course materials will be made available through the secure Moodle online learning platform.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

  • Demonstrate understanding of core  theories and concepts underlying forensic psychiatric practice.
  • Understand the history for forensic mental health services in New Zealand and their current structure.

Overview

The principles and practice of forensic psychiatry.

This is a specialist mental health paper with an emphasis on developing clinical skills and knowledge that can be applied to both beginning practice and advanced practice in a specialist area. The paper is based on an acknowledgement of the Treaty of Waitangi as the founding document of New Zealand. We are pleased to offer this paper to students with a diverse range of experience of forensic psychiatry. Previous experience of teaching forensic psychiatry at postgraduate level has indicated that this combination of both beginning and experienced students is very effective in the learning process, leading to more stimulating group discussions, whilst meeting the specific learning needs of students.

About this paper

Paper title Forensic Psychiatry
Subject Psychological Medicine
EFTS 0.2500
Points 30 points
Teaching period Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 (Distance learning)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Limited to
MHealSc, PGCertHealSc, PGDipHealSc
Notes
Students will require evidence of suitable clinical experience to be admitted to this paper.
Eligibility
Must be a graduate or possess an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years' full-time tertiary study and have experience of or be currently working in a mental health setting.
Contact

psychmed.uoc@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Convener: Associate Professor James Foulds

Paper Structure

PSME 407 is taught via a series of two-day workshops complemented by self-directed learning using online study materials. The workshops are delivered by leading New Zealand forensic mental health professionals from diverse professional disciplines.

The content of this paper includes the history and structure of forensic mental health services in New Zealand; violence assessment; ethical and legal frameworks; and interdisciplinary rehabilitation approaches for people with mental illness who have had contact with the justice system.

Teaching Arrangements

Four two-day block courses. Two blocks are held in Christchurch and two blocks online via Zoom. Attendance at block days is compulsory.

Between block courses, self-directed learning is encouraged with the provision of a study guide and self-assessment questions to assist with preparation for the next workshop.

Textbooks

All textbooks and other course materials will be made available through the secure Moodle online learning platform.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

  • Demonstrate understanding of core theories and concepts underlying forensic psychiatric practice.
  • Understand the history for forensic mental health services in New Zealand and their current structure.
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