Medical students study 'Seinfeld' characters to identify psychiatric disorders

A psychiatry professor recently used American TV sitcom 'Seinfeld' characters to identify and discuss psychiatric disorders.

According to NJ.com, more than 15 years after the final episode, 'Seinfeld' is the basis for "Psy-feld," a teaching tool designed to help medical students study psychiatry.

Every Monday and Thursday, third- and fourth-year medical students in the hospital's psychiatric rotation are assigned to watch the 6 p.m. episode the show on TBS. They begin rounds the following morning by discussing what psychopathology was demonstrated on the episode.

Third-year student Marlene Wang said that George demonstrates signs of narcissism as he neglects his own girlfriend to focus on Jerry's. But fellow third-year student Ryan Townsend wasn't convinced.

Dr. Anthony Tobia, right, department of psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Schoo, has also been pitching a course that would involve real-time Twitter discussion as students watch TV's most can't-miss shows live in their own home.