I’ve received a ton of questions on study suggestions and resources. Here are my recommendations and links to some great free resources (including my Med Quik Guide).

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Today, I provide you with a primer on HIV / AIDS. This topic is assessed on the Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 (MOC) boards as well as on many if not all of the subspecialty board exams. Here is the first of two posts on the HIV / AIDS fundamentals you need to know for your exam.

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A reader posted this comment on this blog.

"I had a patient who wanted to jump off a bridge because the voices said so. She had never acted on it in the last three years. She also denied a history of cocaine and cannabis use after admitting to it. This really flummoxed me. I think I failed as I did not talk about hospitalization. I only talked about out patient management. I was lulled into a false sense fo security as she told that she will not go ahead and do anything."

These are some tips to consider.

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Today I continue our crucial exploration of suicide that is driven by psychotic symptoms. I will never ever forget the patient I had several years ago who slashed her throat with an electric carving knife. Why did she do such a thing?

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Today I share with you an important case write up. Why important? Because it relates to suicide risk that is driven not only by depression but by psychosis also. Psychotic symptoms are often catalysts (the intentional or motivational factors) that lead to suicidal and / or homicidal behavior. Please read the case that follows and my discussion below that.

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One of our course participants had a vignette case on his Psychiatry Oral Board Exam in which a patient disclosed that she had sexual relations with her previous psychiatrist.

How would you handle this situation? Read what the AMA and the APA recommend.

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