Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry

Pre-Doctoral Clinical Psychology Internship Program 2009-2010
- DIDACTIC COURSES

The didactic program is a key element of the internship-training year. The seminars listed below are provided to broaden exposure to the fundamentals of psychology practice, current state-of-the-art assessment and treatment methods, and new scientific knowledge.

• Cultural and Individual Diversity
  This is a seminar which familiarizes the intern with diversity issues related to religion, race, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation, and age. Guest speakers from throughout the University are included.
  
  
• Research Outcomes
  The goal of this seminar is to ensure interns are good consumers of clinical outcomes research. To accomplish this goal, interns design an outcome study and review and critique existing studies. In addition, interns learn the outcome literature regarding the treatment of the major psychiatric disorders. Guest speakers are invited to present.
  
  
• Professional Development
  This is a three-month seminar emphasizing professional development. A variety of speakers from the university community provide information and lead discussion on topics focusing on legal and ethical issues including: dual relationships, risk management, court testimony, and child abuse and neglect reporting. The hospital attorney introduces interns to the legal framework within which professional psychology is practiced. Psychologists in the department present on topics such as developing supervision skills, grantsmanship, and job and postdoctoral interviewing.
  
  
• Psychopharmacology
  This is led by a psychiatrist and is designed to cover critical information regarding major psychotropic medications. Content includes drug classes, names and basic mechanisms of action. 
   
  
• Psychiatry Ground Rounds
  Research and clinical topics are presented throughout the year by faculty, interns, residents and visiting guest speakers. Interns are encouraged to attend when topics are relevant, and are required to present in this venue once during the course of their internship year.

Interns also attend track-specific didactics during relevant rotations.

Adult Rotation

• Adult Didactic Case Conference
  A weekly group meeting consisting of adult psychology faculty, interns, and graduate students is held to discuss assessment and treatment issues pertaining to adults. A broad range of topics is covered, including ethics, diversity issues, consultation, crisis management, issues related to working in a multidisciplinary hospital setting, professional development, and specific assessment and treatment techniques. On a rotating basis, interns present recent journal articles and clinical case presentations.

Neuropsychology Rotation

• Neuropsychology Case Conference
  A 1.5-hour weekly seminar is attended by neuropsychology faculty members, post-doctoral residents, psychology interns, graduate students and undergraduates. Each week, the seminar is focused on a topic in neuropsychology and includes review of relevant literature and background, discussion of an assigned article, and presentation of one to two clinical cases. Interns are expected to present at least once during each rotation.
  
  
• Neurology Grand Rounds
  Clinical case presentations occur on a weekly basis. Often, the patient is present and participates in a live examination conducted by a faculty neurologist. Neuroradiologic, neuropathologic, electrophysiologic, and medical laboratory findings are presented and reviewed. A didactic presentation regarding the disease process and treatment course also occurs.
  
  
• Functional Neuroimaging Journal Club
  This weekly meeting is available to neuropsychology major interns or others if interested. It is a multidisciplinary scientific meeting of the faculty in the Center for Advanced Imaging, including Drs. Haut, Moran and Carey. Topics vary from the presentation of the literature to presentation and critique of recently collected data or studies being designed by members of the group.