BCPP study plan
BCPP · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Pharmacotherapy of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders
Map first-line and alternative agents for major depressive disorder onto a self-built comparison table listing mechanism, typical dose range, and key monitoring parameter
Differentiate serotonin syndrome, hypertensive crisis with MAOIs, and discontinuation syndrome by onset, presenting features, and required action
Compare antidepressant selection trade-offs in patients with comorbid cardiac disease, seizure history, or pregnancy using at least four guideline-anchored decision rules
Rank augmentation and switching strategies for treatment-resistant depression and justify each step in writing
Your checkpoint
A 25-row antidepressant/bipolar decision table with dosing, monitoring, and one clinical pearl per row, self-quizzed to 90% recall
Pharmacotherapy of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders
Distinguish antipsychotic selection factors across first-episode psychosis, schizophrenia maintenance, and treatment-resistant disease including clozapine criteria
Calculate and interpret metabolic monitoring parameters (weight, BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose, lipids) at baseline and follow-up intervals
Differentiate acute dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia by timeline and management, and select the correct intervention for each
Construct a bipolar disorder treatment sequence for acute mania, acute depression, and maintenance, naming agents to avoid in each phase
Your checkpoint
A one-page antipsychotic adverse-effect and monitoring matrix plus 10 written case vignettes each answered with drug, dose, and monitoring plan
Pharmacotherapy of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders & Medication Safety, Adverse Effects, Interactions, and Laboratory Monitoring
Select pharmacotherapy for opioid, alcohol, and tobacco use disorders including induction requirements, dose ceilings, and continuation criteria
Identify clinically significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions among psychotropics, CYP inhibitors/inducers, and common non-psychiatric medications
Interpret therapeutic drug monitoring results for lithium, valproate, and clozapine and state the action required for each abnormal value
Explain withdrawal timelines and danger signs for alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids and match each to a management strategy
Your checkpoint
A 30-item self-written interaction and lab-monitoring quiz scored at 85% or better, with a correction note for every missed item
Patient Assessment, Diagnosis, and Monitoring
Apply validated screening and rating instruments (PHQ-9, GAD-7, C-SSRS, AIMS, MDQ) and interpret score thresholds to guide next steps
Formulate a differential diagnosis for psychosis, agitation, and delirium by contrasting onset, course, and medication history
Perform a structured psychiatric interview and mental status examination, documenting findings in a standard note format
Assess suicide risk and construct a documented safety plan matched to risk stratification
Your checkpoint
Three complete written patient assessment notes (screening scores, MSE, differential, plan) reviewed against a self-built rubric
Patient Assessment, Diagnosis, and Monitoring & Medication Safety, Adverse Effects, Interactions, and Laboratory Monitoring
Build a monitoring schedule for each major psychotropic class specifying baseline labs, follow-up intervals, and parameters to trend
Interpret CBC, LFTs, renal function, electrolytes, TSH, and ECG/QTc findings for their implications on psychiatric medication initiation or continuation
Detect adverse events from laboratory and clinical data and state the corresponding dose adjustment, discontinuation, or referral
Distinguish medical conditions that mimic psychiatric illness and identify when to refer for medical workup
Your checkpoint
A monitoring calendar template completed for six drug classes, with 15 lab-interpretation practice items answered and rationales written
Patient Education, Adherence, and Chronic Care Management & Medication Safety, Adverse Effects, Interactions, and Laboratory Monitoring
Design a patient education session that conveys indication, expected timeline, and warning signs in plain language for three high-risk medications
Diagnose causes of nonadherence (cost, side effects, health literacy, stigma, regimen complexity) and match each to a specific intervention
Construct a long-term adherence and relapse-prevention plan including follow-up cadence, caregiver role, and measurable outcome
Demonstrate a documented adverse-effect counseling and reporting workflow including how to file a report
Your checkpoint
One teach-back patient education handout and one adherence intervention script, each piloted on a colleague with written feedback captured
Professional Practice, Interprofessional Collaboration, and Practice Management & Evidence-Based Practice, Literature Evaluation, and Research
Appraise a randomized controlled trial and a meta-analysis for validity, effect size, and applicability to a specific patient using a structured critical appraisal checklist
Translate trial results into absolute risk reduction, number needed to treat, and number needed to harm, and communicate them to a prescriber
Describe interprofessional roles and collaboration points across psychiatry, primary care, nursing, and pharmacy in a shared care model
Outline documentation, billing, and scope-of-practice considerations relevant to a psychiatric pharmacy service
Your checkpoint
A one-page critical appraisal of one psychiatry trial plus a 5-slide internal presentation outline on interprofessional roles
Pharmacotherapy of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders & Patient Assessment, Diagnosis, and Monitoring & Medication Safety, Adverse Effects, Interactions, and Laboratory Monitoring & Patient Education, Adherence, and Chronic Care Management & Professional Practice, Interprofessional Collaboration, and Practice Management & Evidence-Based Practice, Literature Evaluation, and Research
Integrate all domains by working through timed mixed-topic case sets under exam conditions
Identify the three weakest domains from practice-exam performance and remediate each with targeted review
Rehearse rapid recall of high-yield dosing, monitoring, and interaction facts via spaced repetition
Construct a personal exam-day strategy covering timing, item triage, and flagging rules
Your checkpoint
One full-length timed practice exam scored and analyzed by domain, with a written remediation checklist for any domain below 75%
Milestones
Week 2: Complete all 10 antipsychotic case vignettes and score at least 8/10 on self-graded answers before advancing
Week 4: Domain 2 self-assessment at 75% or higher; three assessment notes completed; otherwise repeat a Domain 2 review block in week 5
Week 6: Monitoring calendar and lab-interpretation items at 80% or higher, confirming Domains 1 and 3 are exam-ready
Week 7: Critical appraisal and interprofessional outline completed, confirming Domains 5 and 6 coverage at least four weeks before the exam
Week 8: Full-length practice exam completed with every domain at 75% or higher and a written remediation checklist produced