Why Choose MUSC and the Institute of Psychiatry

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for its high performance in 13 of the 16 adult clinical specialties that are ranked for Best Hospital. MUSC is one of only 140 hospitals in the country to have received recognition in even one category. MUSC Children’s Hospital is one of only 76 facilities to be recognized in one or more categories. MUSC was also ranked #1 in South Carolina.

The Institute of Psychiatry provides the most thorough, state-of-the-art care available for a full range of psychiatric problems.  Patients benefit from attention by nationally recognized psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, psychologists, and researchers working together to provide care and emphasizing confidentiality and mutual respect. Hallmarks of the IOP's treatment approach are:

NAMI Hospital of the Year

The National Alliance on Mental Health SC (NAMI) named the Institute of Psychiatry the 2012 Hospital of the Year.  The IOP was selected based on advancements in brain stimulation treatment, recognition as a comprehensive depression center by the National Network of Depression Centers and its active role in public health and advocacy for persons with mental illness. The hospital was also recognized in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Nationally Ranked Comprehensive Depression Center

The Institute of Psychiatry has been designated as one of only 21 Comprehensive Depression Centers of excellence by the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC).  This designation is similar to the National Cancer Institute.  The MUSC Comprehensive Depression Center (CDC) incorporates brain stimulation techniques, such as TMS and DBS, developed by MUSC faculty and collaborators, as well as novel programs dedicated to the relationship between mood disorders and the creative arts, depression in medical disease, neuromodulation, and women’s reproductive biobehavioral health.

Ninth in National Institutes of Health Funding

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina  currently ranks ninth in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding among Departments of Psychiatry, and is home to a number of nationally-recognized clinicians, researchers, and programs.

The IOP Patient Family Partnership Council

To implement the concept of family and patient centered care, MUSC established an IOP Patient Family Partnership Council.  The PFPC consists of four family members and four consumers, each having first-hand experience with mental illness and/or addiction, who serve on IOP Patient Satisfaction Team, Admission Criteria Task Force and participate in IOP New Employee Orientation. The group facilitated Crisis Intervention Training for MUSC Safety & Security staff and a weekly spiritual support group for IOP inpatients. They were featured in the MUSC Catalyst and the Post & Courier, helping to destigmatize mental illness.

The Engagement Model

The Engagement Model is an evidenced-based approach to treating patients.  It involves creating an environment that is conducive to recovery, the use of healing language when communicating with patients, engaging patients and families in determining the treatment plan, and delivering "trauma-informed care."

Trauma-Informed Care

It is not rare for people to be exposed to traumatic events throughout their lives.  The severity or frequency, however, can have a debilitating effect.  The treatment team is sensitive to patients who have suffered traumatic events and works diligently to avoid anything that aggravates memories of interpersonal violence or victimization.  Trauma-Informed Care is based on five principles:

• Safety: Ensuring physical and emotional safety
• Trustworthiness: Maximizing trustworthiness, making tasks clear, and maintaining appropriate boundaries
• Choice: Prioritizing consumer choice and control
• Collaboration: Maximizing collaboration and sharing of power with consumers
• Empowerment: Prioritizing consumer empowerment and skill-building

Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, known as CDAP, is one of the nation’s premier academic centers for the study and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse. U.S. News and World Report recognized CDAP as being the eleventh best drug and alcohol abuse academic program in the United States. CDAP's Charleston Alcohol Research Center is one of only 14 National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Alcohol Research Centers in the United States.