NAME: CHILD AND ADOLESCENT NEUROPSYCHIATRY

COORDINATOR: PROF. LINO NOBILI 

LOCATION: IRCCS GIANNINA GASLINI INSTITUTE 

DURATION: 4 YEARS 

ADMISSION: Admission to the Specialization School for medical residents is regulated according to current legislation, as outlined in the annual admission notice for medical-surgical specialization schools. 

Admission of successful candidates is based on the ranking list and follows the order below: 

• Ordinary positions funded by the Ministry 

• Additional positions funded by the Region 

• Additional positions funded by public institutions or entities 

• Additional positions funded by private individuals 

Admission to all the above positions is subject to successful completion of the entrance exam and specific ministerial authorization. Specialist training contract holders, as students of the specialization schools, are considered university students. 

TRAINING PROGRAM: 

The training path is detailed in the School's operational plan, approved by the School Council based on the guidelines of Ministerial Decree dated August 1, 2005, which outlines the structure of the educational activities aimed at achieving the required objectives. The trainee must attend lectures, seminars, and any other type of educational activity that the School Council deems necessary for complete and well-rounded training. 

The School is part of the Neurosciences and Clinical Behavioral Sciences track. 

The academic year begins with the start of teaching activities, as established each year by ministerial decree. Attendance at lessons is mandatory. The School Council determines the structure and organization of theoretical and practical activities each year, including rotations among facilities within the training network. 

Training within the Educational Network: 

Trainees carry out their educational activities according to the guidelines set by the School Council. To ensure complete and well-rounded professional training, the trainee must rotate through various departments and services within the School’s training network, with schedules and durations aligned with training objectives. Time spent at affiliated operational units must not exceed half the duration of the program. 

Training outside the Educational Network: 

Training periods abroad are permitted, subject to approval by the School Council and formal acceptance by the host institution, for a maximum of 18 months over the entire program. National institutions also include: 

• Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit – IRCCS Burlo Garofalo, Trieste 
• Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit – IRCCS Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome 

The trainee's internship throughout the program is a training activity and not a substitute for regular hospital or university staff work. It should cover the full range of activities performed by structured staff. During clinical work, the trainee is given increasing levels of responsibility and autonomy based on their professional growth. 

All training and clinical activities are carried out under the supervision of Tutors, appointed annually by the School Council based on high scientific qualifications, professional experience, and teaching abilities. 

Trainees are required to keep an electronic training logbook, managed by the company Nomos, recording all academic and clinical activities, including scheduling, content, methods, instructors/tutors, and clinical rotations with tutor coordination. 

At the end of each academic year, the School Director verifies the logbook and checks that the planned individual training program has been completed. 

TRAINING OBJECTIVES: 

The Specialization School in Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry is structured over four years. 

The specialist must acquire theoretical, scientific, and professional knowledge in functional and instrumental semeiotics, clinical methodology, pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and rehabilitative treatments to provide comprehensive care to patients aged 0–18 with neuropsychiatric disorders. The specialist should also understand the psychosocial aspects of chronic childhood illnesses and be familiar with mental health promotion, prevention of neuropsychiatric diseases, and the fight against stigma in young people. Furthermore, the specialist must have a solid understanding of the relationship between internal medicine and psychiatric disorders and issues related to consultation-liaison psychiatry in childhood and adolescence. 

The School aims to achieve the following objectives through educational pathways that build cultural knowledge and professional skills: 

GENERAL TRAINING OBJECTIVES: 

• Knowledge of the central and peripheral nervous systems and muscles, and their physiological changes during development 
• Understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of childhood neuropsychiatric disorders and their genetic transmission mechanisms 
• Knowledge of psychophysiology, psychological development mechanisms, physiological and neuroimaging correlates of neuropsychiatric syndromes in youth, and the basis for the use of neuro- and psychotropic drugs in this age group 

General Educational Goals: 

• Understanding the historical and conceptual aspects of childhood neuropsychiatric disorders 

School-Specific Training Objectives: 

• In-depth knowledge of normal and pathological neuropsychic development and the biological, familial, and social factors that influence it 
• Acquisition of theoretical and technical knowledge for neuropsychological assessment of cognitive and learning disorders in children and adolescents, and the implementation of preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative interventions, including social integration of disabled minors 
• Acquisition of essential technical and methodological skills to manage preadolescent and adolescent crises and consultation-liaison psychiatry in youth 
• Understanding the doctor-patient-parent relationship and the legal/ethical issues of informed consent in minors 
• Knowledge of neurophysiological, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging aspects of childhood and adolescent neuropsychiatric disorders 
• Competence in comprehensive patient management (involving patient, family, and school) 

To ensure shared training across disciplines, residents rotate through various departments (UO/UOC) at: 

IRCCS Gaslini Institute: Neurology, Child Neuropsychiatry, Psychiatry, Neuromuscular Diseases, Neurosurgery; Services: Psychology and Surgical Emergency 

IRCCS San Martino: Neurology and Psychiatry Units 

Affiliated Structures: Outpatient Clinics of the Mental Health Department – ASL 4 Chiavarese 

Supplementary and Interdisciplinary Disciplines: 

Within the training program, the resident must acquire the scientific foundations of the School’s subject area to develop full professional competence. This includes the ability to critically interpret scientific innovations and manage both clinical care and ongoing professional development. Participation in national and international training courses and conferences is encouraged. 

Upon completion of the professional training and final year, the trainee must pass the final examination within one month of the course conclusion. The School offers extra sessions for those needing to make up for missed training due to interruptions. 

STRUCTURES AFFILIATED WITH THE SCHOOL’S EDUCATIONAL NETWORK: 

• ASL 4 CHIAVARESE (Mental Health Department) 
• ASL 3 GENOVESE (Child Neuropsychiatry Outpatient Clinics)