Clinical Health Psychology in Undergraduate Medicine

Transcription

1 Clinical Health Psychology in Undergraduate Medicine April 30, 2013 Maxine Holmqvist, Ph.D., C.Psych.

2 What is Clinical Health Psychology? Clinical department within Faculty of Medicine Approximately 50 members Strong rural & northern program Highly competitive residency program Lengthy history of involvement with teaching in preclerkship and residency

3 Why include Clinical Health Psychology in undergraduate medicine? Understanding health behaviour and behaviour change is critical to preventing and managing chronic disease. Psychologists are experts in behaviour. Psychologists have expertise in behavioural, cognitivebehavioural and other psychotherapeutic techniques. Psychological practice is evidence-based, and psychologists have skills in research and evaluation. Psychologists are skilled at small group facilitation and utilizing experiential learning strategies. Use of psychologists as teachers facilitates interprofessional understanding/awareness.

4 Current topics in preclerkship Stress Pain Adherence Introduction to Psychological Aspects of Human Development Psychological Aspects of Child Development Psychological Aspects of Adolescent Development Psychological Aspects of Adult Development Social Support and Health Intimate partner violence Adult Sexuality HOWEVER, we can t just look at these things in Blocks 1 & 2!

5 CHP Goals for the New Curriculum Vertical and horizontal integration Efficiency/Impact Link foundational concepts to evidence-based psychological treatments Greater utilization of clinical, research and teaching expertise of psychologists in the CHP department

6 Objectives Graduating physicians will be able to evaluate the effect of psychosocial factors on physical symptoms and illness, and address them in developing a patient-centred care plan. Graduating physicians will be able to implement specific, brief strategies to enhance treatment adherence. Graduating physicians will be able to implement brief behavioural interventions for some common health and adjustment concerns.

7 Graduating physicians will recognize when psychological assessments may be helpful and will be able to direct patients and families to appropriate resources. Graduating physicians will recognize when psychological treatments may be helpful and will be able to direct patients and families to appropriate resources. Graduating physicians will be able to consult and work collaboratively with professionals who have specific expertise in clinical health psychology & behavioural medicine.

8 CHP: Strategy- Preclerkship Introduce foundational concepts Woven into every course at an appropriate level For example: incorporated into case studies or selected readings, inclusion of a clinical expert as part of a panel/discussion on treatment approaches, online or small group sessions

9 Possible Topics- M0-M2 Impact of behavioural risk factors on health & disease Stress Pain Basic learning theory Psychosocial development across the lifespan Developmental/learning problems Psychological responses to trauma (including IPV) Psychological adaptation to adverse life events Social Support

10 TTC, Clerkship & TTR Focus moves to application Small-group, case-based facilitated sessions. Integrated into UGME academic time, consolidation cases, block-specific academic time, longitudinal courses, etc. Increase exposure to practicing clinicians

11 Possible Topics- TTC, Clerkship, TTR Adherence, Health behaviour change, Adjustment to illness Motivational techniques Behavioural management of acute & chronic pain Behavioural management of insomnia & other sleep disorders Behavioural management of GI disorders (e.g., IBS) Behavioural management of cardiac risk factors Strategies for addressing parenting concerns Behavioural treatment for common childhood concerns Exposure to psychological assessment Child, adult, personality, cognitive, neuropsychological

12 Longitudinal Courses Clinical Reasoning Common cognitive biases Community Health Psychologically healthy/unhealthy environments Clinical Skills** Managing difficult situations, micro-communication skills Professionalism Vicarious trauma, burnout and impairment Self-care, reflective practice, work-life balance Indigenous Health Recognizing culture

13