WAPCP Part I study plan

Map the neuroanatomical substrates of major psychiatric syndromes by drawing and labelling the cortico-striatal-thalamic-cortical circuit, the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis from memory

Explain the mechanism of action of each major neurotransmitter system (dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine) and link each to at least two psychiatric symptoms

Summarise the genetic epidemiology of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, distinguishing heritability estimates from identified risk variants

Describe the structure and purpose of the mental state examination and rehearse its sequence aloud in under ten minutes

Distinguish the definitions of sign, symptom, syndrome, and disorder and apply them to three worked clinical vignettes

Compare and contrast the descriptive psychopathology terms for disorders of perception, thought form, thought content, and volition, giving one example of each

Differentiate delusions from overvalued ideas and obsessions using three discriminating criteria

Explain the neurobiology of sleep architecture and its disruption in depression, mania, and psychosis

Apply a structured risk assessment framework (static, dynamic, protective factors) to two written vignettes

Describe how cognitive screening instruments are used and interpreted, including their limits in delirium, low education, and sensory impairment

Construct a differential diagnosis for first-episode psychosis, listing at least eight organic and psychiatric alternatives with the discriminating feature for each

Interpret the neuroimaging and electrophysiological findings most commonly tested in schizophrenia, mood disorders, and dementia

Explain the pharmacokinetic principles of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination as they apply to psychotropic drugs

Describe the role of cytochrome P450 enzymes in psychiatric drug interactions and identify the major inhibitors and inducers

Calculate and interpret half-life, steady state, and loading dose concepts using worked numerical examples

Compare the mechanism, dosing range, monitoring requirements, and key adverse effects of the major antipsychotic classes, including clozapine monitoring rules

Explain the mechanism and management of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, serotonin syndrome, and hypertensive crisis with monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Describe the pharmacology, therapeutic range monitoring, and toxicity management of lithium

Outline the indications, titration, and adverse effect profile of mood stabilisers including valproate, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine

Explain the mechanism, dependence risk, and withdrawal management of benzodiazepines and other hypnotics

Describe the indications, consent process, anaesthetic protocol, seizure monitoring, and cognitive side-effect profile of electroconvulsive therapy

Summarise the evidence base for transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and ketamine or esketamine in treatment-resistant depression

Explain the recovery model and its implications for service design and individual care planning

Describe the core components of assertive community treatment and supported employment and compare their evidence base

Outline the principles of psychiatric rehabilitation, including skills training, cognitive remediation, and family psychoeducation

Describe the principles of deinstitutionalisation and the balance between community and inpatient care, including the criteria for involuntary admission in general terms

Explain the role of the multidisciplinary team and the care coordinator in community mental health delivery

Compare the theoretical basis, structure, and indications of cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy, and supportive therapy

Describe the components of a formulation using a biopsychosocial or five-part model and apply it to a written case

Explain the concepts of transference, countertransference, and therapeutic alliance and their relevance to all treatment modalities

Describe the principles of informed consent, capacity assessment, and confidentiality in psychiatric practice, including the limits of each

Explain the legal frameworks governing involuntary treatment and detention in general terms and the role of the psychiatrist within them

Outline the principles of risk management, documentation, and duty to warn or protect

Describe the ethical issues arising in research involving people with mental illness and in the use of restrictive practices

Apply a structured ethical decision-making framework to two written dilemmas

Consolidate all domains by completing a timed mock examination under realistic conditions and reviewing every incorrect answer against a source

Identify and remediate the three weakest topic areas revealed by the mock examination

Rehearse concise verbal explanations of ten high-yield concepts as if teaching a colleague

Review your accumulated summary sheets and drug tables, converting each into a single condensed revision page

Plan and schedule spaced review sessions for the two weeks following the examination date