The medical aspects in the psychological training of the troops

A study of psychological training methods tested on 318 servicemen--armed conflicts participants, including 22 military doctors, veterans of Afghanistan. The results of the research prove that various departures in psychological traits are highly relevant to extreme situations and that a psychological training programme for the medical service personnel is a necessity. The development of the programme should be based on the troops medical maintenance experience in the armed conflicts.     

A Search for Identity.

Discusses steps to developing a successful graduate training program. These steps include defining a psychologist's capabilities, defining professional objectives to provide a framework for the training, determining what specific training methods would help reach these objectives, and conducting a follow-up with graduates to determine their professional achievements. The author then highlights a number of objectives he feels are appropriate for graduate training programs. These include the training of the student in the proper understanding and application of the scientific method, ensuring that the psychologist can relate psychological principles and concepts to a broad range of behavior, helping the student develop the requisite skills for conducting either a theoretical, experimental, or applied analysis, and ensuring that the student understands principles of measurement, is informed about other disciplines, and can recognize in a set of results the implications for future investigations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The causes, prevalence and clinical aspects of nutritional insufficiency

The health of a man is predetermined to a considerable extent by his nutrition. Army physicians frequently deals with the cases of insufficient nutrition among servicemen. The article studies the reasons, frequency and clinic aspects of insufficient nutrition. The authors give a historical reference about the notion of nutritional dystrophy, and reveals some mechanisms of its development. These considerations concerning the cases of insufficient nutrition in servicemen will help army physician to carry out a more effective preventive work among military contingency.     

The vital tasks of preventive medicine

The article discusses the actual problems of prophylaxis in common system of troops medical supply and defines the subsequent reformative ways of preventive medicine. First of all, the necessity of organized principles revision of prophylactic direction is connected with the fact of main health indices negative dynamics of Armed Forces personal, indicative of weakening of all types of prophylactic work. These are prophylactic work among recruits during their adaptation to military service conditions, prophylactic medical examination, tempering, fiscal training and prophylaxis of infectious diseases. However, we shouldn't forget about positive experience accumulated in the past, as much as possible we should use the achievements of military medical science. For further development of preventive direction of troops and fleet medical supply the priority ways of essential tasks decision of military medicine have been planned. It is necessary to connect the decision of concrete tasks with general perspective of introduction in Armed Forces of region system of servicemen medical supply.     

The power of science in furthering professional practice: Opportunities for those with vision.

Describes initiatives within the National Institutes of Health and within the military to use behavioral, cognitive, psychological, and applied psychophysiological research findings to improve clinical intervention with a vast array of health problems, including substance abuse. Psychologists in the military are leading new initiatives to deal with the problems of obesity, physical pain, headaches, environmental effects, and the full range of physical health and mental health problems. (0 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Professional role modeling by faculty: The neglected child in doctoral training.

Are faculty members in doctoral training programs in professional psychology expected to model practice? According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Criteria for Accreditation, the answer is yes. According to what actually happens within most doctoral programs, the answer is no. Some of the problems that relate to this discrepancy and some suggested solutions to those problems are discussed in this article. Faculties of professional psychology can make a substantial improvement in how they serve as role models for their doctoral students. First, they can consistently practice what they teach. Second, they can practice exclusively through their own psychological service centers. Third, they can organize their professional work through faculty practice plans. Fourth, they can fully integrate their research, practice, teaching, training, and supervision while increasing the financial support for students. Last, they can routinely model the best of contemporary practice. The broad adoption of these five suggestions would represent a marked departure from what has been modal practice in doctoral programs, but it would greatly strengthen the quality of graduate education and training, improve students' satisfaction with their doctoral training, and advance professional psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Insomnia.

Insomnia is a heterogeneous disorder variously caused by a number of psychological, environmental, and biological factors. A growing literature on the 2 subtypes of insomnia most likely associated with predominantly psychological factors (psychophysiological and subjective insomnia) has suggested the possible role of physiological hyperactivity, cognitive intrusions, unusual sleep phenomenology, and deficient sensorimotor rhythm in the origins and maintenance of some forms of the disturbance. Preliminary evidence indicates that relaxation techniques, biofeedback, paradoxical intention, and stimulus control all contain active ingredients effective in reducing the subjective complaint of insomnia, with additional EEG documentation in the case of relaxation and biofeedback. (87 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of language in training psychologists to work with Hispanic clients.

The increasing number of Spanish and English bilingual and Spanish-dominant clients requesting psychological services creates challenges for practitioners and agencies. Literature regarding the importance of the Spanish language in providing service to Hispanic clients is reviewed. It is argued that services to Spanish-speaking clients are frequently inadequate because of the lack of training in the use of Spanish in professional settings. A model for training psychologists to provide psychological services in Spanish is presented along with recommendations for practitioners who are struggling with the dilemma of providing services in a language other than that of their professional training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological Services Center at the State University of New York at Albany: A case study.

Discusses a model for the development and implementation of a psychology training center shared by clinical and counseling psychology programs. The history of the psychological services center and its administrative structure are reviewed, and professional issues such as training and service are discussed. Results of an attitudinal survey completed by students show that they considered their experience at the center to have played a positive role in their professional development. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inferring psychological significance from physiological signals.

Since the publication of William James's (1890) Principles of Psychology, most of James's questions about the relation between physiological events and molar psychological or behavioral processes remain unanswered. The slow progress in using physiological signals (PSs) to address general psychological questions is due in part to problems in quantifying PSs in humans and to the way in which investigators have been thinking about the relation between PSs and psychological operations. A framework is provided to foster analysis of psychological phenomena based on PSs. Psychological operations and physiological responses are defined in terms of configural and temporal properties, and psychophysiological relations are conceptualized in terms of their specificity (e.g., one-to-one vs many-to-one) and their generality (e.g., situation or person specific vs cross-situational and pancultural). This model yields 4 classes of psychophysiological relations: (a) outcomes, (b) concomitants, (c) markers, and (d) invariants. The model specifies how to determine whether a psychophysiological relation is an outcome, concomitant, marker, or invariant, and it describes limitations in inferences of psychological significance based on PSs when dealing with each. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Holden Psychological Screening Inventory in the prediction of Canadian Forces basic training outcome.

Examined the validity of Holden Psychological Screening Inventory (HPSI) scales for predicting graduation among a sample of 423 noncommissioned recruits in a 10-week Canadian Forces basic military training course. Analyses indicated that (a) recruits differed significantly from civilians in terms of psychological adjustment, (b) military training attritees were more similar to civilians than to course graduates, and (c) the HPSI Depression scale significantly predicted recruit training course release. Results were interpreted as confirming previous findings on the importance of depression in military training outcome and as supporting the validity of using the HPSI as a screening tool within the Canadian Forces. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stress management training for military trainees returned to duty after a mental health evaluation: Effect on graduation rates.

A significant proportion of people entering the military are discharged within the first 6 months of enlistment. Mental health related problems are often cited as the cause of discharge. This study evaluated the utility of stress inoculation training in helping reduce the attrition of a sample of Air Force trainees at risk for discharge from basic military training. Participants were 178 trainees referred for a psychological evaluation from basic training. Participants were randomly assigned to a 2-session stress management group or a usual-care control condition. Compared with past studies that used less rigorous methodology, this study did not find that exposure to stress management information increased the probability of graduating basic military training. Results are discussed in terms of possible reasons for the lack of treatment effects and directions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stuart W. Cook (1913–1993): Obituary.

Memorializes S. W. Cook, who was best known for his effective application of psychological science toward the mitigation of important social problems, particularly race prejudice. However, his career also included major activity in clinical, experimental, and military psychology; research methods; scientific and professional ethics; professional organization; and public policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Enabling the somatizing patient to exit the somatic closet: A high-risk model.

Examines problems that make somatizing patients (SMPs) poor candidates for psychotherapy and analyzes the conspiracy of silence that exists between SMPs, medical doctors, and the health insurance industry regarding psychosocial factors contributing to somatization. Alternatives are sought to repeated biomedical tests and therapies that are clinically unproductive and iatrogenic. Behavioral and psychological factors are included as components in the etiology and therapy of some modern physical diseases. Psychological and psychophysiological treatment technologies (e.g., biofeedback) offer promising alternatives to drugs and surgery in treating both psychophysiological and physical disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Record Keeping Guidelines.

These guidelines are designed to educate psychologists and provide a framework for making decisions regarding professional record keeping. State and federal laws, as well as the American Psychological Association's "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct," generally require maintenance of appropriate records of psychological services. The nature and extent of the record will vary depending upon the purpose, setting, and context of the psychological services. Within these guidelines, more directive language has been used when a particular guideline is based specifically on mandatory provisions of the Ethics Code or law. However, some areas are not addressed in those enforceable standards and regulations. In these areas, more aspirational language has been used. This document aims to elaborate and provide assistance to psychologists as they attempt to establish their own record keeping policies and procedures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attitudes, satisfaction, and training recommendations of former clinical psychology interns: 1968 and 1977.

Surveyed former clinical psychology interns in 1968 and 1977 regarding (a) the distribution of their professional time, (b) how they ideally would like to spend their professional time, (c) the level of their internship satisfaction, and (d) recommendations about future training. Changes in professional activities over time—seen as due to shifts in the profession rather than to maturational effects in the respondents—included increased time supervising trainees and less time doing psychological testing and research. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction.

The authors in this miniseries purport to examine the current status of school psychology in terms of professional practice; education, training, and evaluation; and, credentialing. They anticipate the future of school psychology in terms of these same dimensions. And, they either implicitly or explicitly make comparisons with other traditionally recognized psychological specialties, suggesting the potential for collaborative solutions to nagging difficulties among the specialties. Joel Meyers (see record 1989-17318-001) addresses the current state of practice and future practice of the specialty. He details the specific directions in which school psychology practice can be expected to develop in future years. Beeman N. Phillips (see record 1989-17118-001) discusses the education, training, and evaluation of practitioners today and in the future. The distinguishing features of professional psychological education and training are set forth and developed in relation to practice. Judy L. Genshaft and Jack J. Wisniewski (see record 1989-17107-001) set forth their shared perspective on present credentialing and prospects for the future. They write of licensure and credentialing as indexes of consumer protection and high professional status. Nadine M. Lambert and John H. Jackson critique the three articles. They evaluate positively what has been written and raise issues of their own. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Commentary about the product from a departed advocate.

Comments on the original article, Clinical psychology training in Canada: Its development, current status, and the prospects for accreditation by John B. Conway (see record 1985-10567-001). I was active in Canadian professional psychological affairs from 1949 until 1959 (PAPQ, CPA, OPA) when I left to pursue opportunities unavailable then (perhaps still) in Canada. In recent years I have been back to address OPA, PAM, PAA, and BCPA, but otherwise there has been a nearly 25-year hiatus in my contact with Canadian psychology. Some of the debates and discussion I heard in Canada on professional issues brought me back to yesteryear such that I often wondered if anything had fundamentally changed. In two respects it really had. The numbers of graduate programmes and the numbers of psychologists have increased rather dramatically. The training resources are largely far better organized today and the products more numerous. But is their standing as professionals improved? Not that much. Are they regularly in positions to impact on programmes and policy outside the university? Quite seldom, it seems. Have they been successful in gaining broad public acceptance, acquiring statutory recognition, or creating a market demand for their services? Apart from some individual exceptions, generally, no. I do not mean to belittle this "benchmark" paper. Conway has assembled a lot of useful sequential information on both training and professional dilemmas. But I find it hard to measure the quality and purpose of the training without at the same time giving equal scrutiny to the product. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical guideline evolution in psychological support to interrogation operations.

Significant controversy has surrounded the use of psychologists as consultants to military commanders in the interrogation of captive enemy combatants. The evolution of ethical guidelines has rapidly brought standardization and guidance for the growing numbers of psychologists participating in these operations. This article recounts the integration of professional psychological resources in selected military operational units. It also relates the evolution of such resources and the development of ethical guidelines for psychologists supporting interrogation. Finally, the article advocates for the continuing role of psychologists in the provision of consultation to help ensure safe, legal, ethical, and effective military interrogation operations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)