Neuropsychiatry

This new exciting subspecialty in psychiatry, at the University of the Witwatersrand, has been in existence since 2016 when the first 5 neuropsychiatrists were grandfathered under the tutelage of Prof Trevor Hurwitz from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We now have an established sub-specialty certificate in Neuropsychiatry through the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA).

Neuropsychiatry covers the intimate link that exists between brain structure and function and deals with varied disorders arising from structural brain injuries, electrical malfunction (epilepsy) and toxic-metabolic derangements, somatoform disorders and various other conditions. Clinical skills in neurology and psychiatry are crucial, but knowledge of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropsychology and neuroimaging are very important. This field is growing at a fast pace globally with the development and interest in neurosciences worldwide.

Although Neuropsychiatry is in its infancy in South Africa, we hope to continue developing this exciting division within the Department of Psychiatry.

The sub-specialty certificate in Neuropsychiatry guidelines and regulations are available on the CMSA website as follows: https://www.cmsa.co.za/view_exam.aspx?QualificationID=96