A training model for psychologists with prescription privileges: Clinical pharmacopsychologists.

Presents a training model for prescribing psychologists. Training for independent psychology practitioners is modeled after a training program drafted by the International Neuropsychological Society-Division 40 Task Force for Neuropsychology. In the proposed model, the prescribing psychologist is trained as a specialist within clinical psychology. The term used to describe this specialist, clinical pharmacopsychologist, emphasizes psychology as the underlying field and is homologous with clinical neuropsychologist. Not all clinical psychologists will have this privilege because it is a specialty in its own right, which requires specific didactic and experiential training. During the transition period before the appearance of clinical pharmacopsychologists on clinical psychology faculties, prospective prescribing psychologists will obtain specialty training primarily in medical settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Proposed ethical practice guidelines for clinical pharmacopsychology: Sharpening a new focus in psychology.

This article outlines practical and ethical standards of professional practice in the developing field of pharmacopsychology. Assessment, treatment, and evaluation concerns are discussed. Seven pharmacotherapy guidelines are suggested. These guidelines include the following issues: special care for specific populations, polypharmacy, and concurrent therapies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Two-dimensional grid is ineffective against demented patients' exiting through glass doors.

An extension of the visual-grid method of controlling egress from a 30-bed specialized dementia care unit of a nursing home was tested. R. A. Hussian and D. C. Brown (see record 1988-30720-001) significantly reduced patient egress attempts from a state hospital psychogeriatric ward with strips of beige tape on a brown floor near an opaque door. In this study, black tape was used on a white floor at both glass exit doors, in the same configuration as Hussian and Brown's most effective condition. Data indicated no intervention effect. Results are attributed mainly to the glass doors, which allow an outdoor view and can entice residents outward and distract them from the floor grid. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Employment opportunities for geropsychologists.

Surveyed 224 hospitals, community mental health centers, nursing homes, graduate departments of psychology, and hospices in California, Michigan, New York, and Texas as to their present and future levels of providing services to the aging and their interest in hiring geropsychologists. The most prevalent geropsychological activities were therapy, assessment, and community consultation. Although only 10% of respondents were interested in hiring geropsychologists at present, 43% reported interest in hiring in the future. The greatest interest in hiring was expressed by community mental health centers and hospitals. Regionally, New York expressed the greatest interest. Consistent with the recognized discrepancy between the extensive mental health needs of the elderly and the availability of appropriate professional care, the results document that the employment market for geropsychologists is considerably underdeveloped. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

THE DOCTOR'S VOICE: POSTDICTOR OF SUCCESSFUL REFERRAL OF ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS.

9 PHYSICIANS DISCUSSED THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH ALCOHOLICS IN TAPE-RECORDED INTERVIEWS. FEELINGS AND ATTITUDES CONVEYED IN DOCTORS' SPEECH WERE RELATED TO THEIR SUCCESS IN REFERRING ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS FOR TREATMENT TO A SPECIAL CLINIC. 10 JUDGES (5 MALE, 5 FEMALE) RATED THE INTERVIEW MATERIAL PRESENTED NORMALLY (UNFILTERED TAPE RECORDING); 10 RATED IT PRESENTED IN A "TONE-ONLY" CONDITION (CONTENT-FILTERED TAPE RECORDING); AND 10 RATED IT IN A "CONTENT-ONLY" CONDITION (TYPED TRANSCRIPTS). DOCTORS JUDGED LESS ANGRY IN THE TONE-ONLY CONDITION AND MORE ANXIOUS IN THE NORMAL CONDITION WERE MORE SUCCESSFUL IN REFERRING ALCOHOLICS FOR FURTHER TREATMENT. (23 REF.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Methods for studying course of illness with severely mentally ill adults

This study examined methods for obtaining course of illness data on adults who are severely mentally ill. A convenience sample (N = 60) was recruited within 4 programs serving different subgroups of adults with severe mental illness. Forty-three participants were able to complete follow-up interviews, using a life chart format to report on personal history in the domains of housing, employment, finances, psychiatric service utilization, health problems, use of psychotropic medication, drug and alcohol use, social relationships, and other major life events. Corresponding information was abstracted from treatment records and examined for concordance with self-reports. Results showed distinct areas of concordance, including recent (1 year) life events, psychiatric care, psychotropic medications, and use of alcohol. Areas of disagreement included legal problems, illicit drug use, and general health. With multiple data sources, it is possible to involve a range of adults with severe mental illness in research and to incorporate their knowledge into course of illness studies.