Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project: Fellows' perspectives on didactic curriculum.

Involvement in the Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project (PDP) was a fascinating process for those psychologists immersed in the novel health science curriculum based in a traditional model of medical education. The PDP may be viewed as the compression of several years of medical school and residency training into a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship for practicing psychologists. In this article, 2 graduates describe the evolution of the PDP didactic curriculum, characterize the PDP paradigm, contrast it with a psychological model, provide comparisons with emerging civilian programs and the American Psychological Association's model curriculum, and highlight "lessons learned" during their 1st year in the PDP. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Health professions education: The shaping of a discipline through federal funding.

The federal government has been the single most dominant force shaping the development of health professions over the past 50 yrs. Described as both a patron and proprietor of health professions education, the federal government's role is a factor that health professionals cannot ignore. This article focuses on the 3 major federal initiatives (Veterans Administration training programs, Title VII of the Public Health Service Act, and Medicare's Graduate Medical Education) which have most significantly influenced the training in and development of the disciplines of psychology and medicine. The significance for psychology's involvement in national health policy, particularly during this era of reform, is highlighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychopharmacology training in psychology internships: A brief curriculum.

How might basic training in psychopharmacology be integrated into psychology internships? The present article describes a brief psychopharmacology curriculum, developed by a prescribing psychologist and a director of training for an internship program accredited by the American Psychological Association, designed to specifically address training needs of predoctoral interns. The authors maintain that focused training in differential medical diagnosis and psychopharmacology is essential to the professional development of the psychology intern. Implementation by a psychologist with advanced knowledge of psychopharmacology may enhance the intern's integration of this material with psychological principles and facilitate active involvement in primary care and remote settings in future practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

A case study from the Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project: Mania and neurosyphilis.

Postdoctoral training in clinical psychopharmacology for psychologists may include physical examination and laboratory assessment procedures, and differential medical diagnosis, as included in the Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project (PDP). This article, written by a PDP fellow and an attending psychiatrist, describes a case in which an apparently psychological condition (mania) was determined to result from an underlying physical condition (neurosyphilis). This case underscores the importance of appropriate laboratory screening, highlights the significance of several components of such postdoctoral training, and illustrates the unique ability of psychologists with specialized training to provide comprehensive care for patients with very complex needs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)