The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, Ohio, held their annual public policy day for first and second year medical students at their campuses in Athens, Dublin, and Cleveland. The theme for the day was professionalism, civility, and ethical behavior.
OPPA's Executive Director, Janet Shaw, facilitated three small group breakout sessions in the afternoon on the topic of mental health. The discussions resulted in lively conversations about the importance and prevalence of mental health issues in the primary care setting, the evolving patient centered medical home and integrated care model, the role of professional associations in controversial public policy issues like marijuana legalization, gun control and scope of practice issues, as well as the importance of physicians getting involved in advocacy in order to advocate on behalf of their patients and profession.
Although most of the medical students hadn't yet decided on a practice specialty area, it was encouraging to hear that quite a few already know they want to become psychiatrists.