Predoctoral Psychology Internship

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Organization Type: 
Educational Institution
Program Type: 
Standing Program
Education Level: 
Graduate
Educational Elements: 
Lecture/Didactic
Independent Study
Self Reflection Activities
Experiential not including services to patients
Experiential including clinical contact with patients
Program Description: 

This Predoctoral Psychology Internship was formed with the guiding principle that synergy could be achieved by pooling resources and interrelating the respective institutional education efforts in regard to psychology internship training with a focus on interdisciplinary health care settings. With the broader institutional missions of the Georgia Regents University (GRU) and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (CNVAMC) aimed at providing outstanding educational and clinical service programs involving health professionals, biomedical scientists, and educators at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, this psychology internship has had a breadth of training opportunities in interdisciplinary contexts. The training model focuses on four primary facets of training in the development of professional psychologists:

  1. Training in the implementation of essential practice skills in key field settings
  2. Training in an empirical approach to practice
  3. Training in the provision of care for underserved populations and areas
  4. Training of recovery based principles of care that emphasize self-determination, holistic care, peer support and advocacy, and hope

Interdisciplinary training and service represent a core mission of this program and is supported by strong linkages to multiple interdisciplinary care services throughout.  In the GRU Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, psychology interns function in the context of interdisciplinary service teams and engage in joint routine educational efforts with general and child psychiatry residents.  At the CNVAMC, the Mental Health (MH) Service Line functions in the context of interdisciplinary teams as well.  Psychology interns function in interdisciplinary teams providing psychological assessment, crisis intervention, behavioral interventions, and patient/staff consultations, and liaison projects within the following interdisciplinary services:

  1. Augusta Multiple Sclerosis Center
  2. GRU Cancer Center
  3. GRU Bariatric Surgery Center
  4. GRU Infectious Disease Clinic (Ryan White Center)
  5. GRU Pediatric Specialty Clinics – Developmental Disorders, Endocrine and Hemeto-Oncology
  6. GRU Adult Diabetes Clinic
  7. VAMC Blind Rehabilitation Center
  8. VAMC Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Center
  9. VAMC Polytrauma Outpatient Clinic
  10. VAMC Medical Rehabilitation Unit
  11. VAMC Geriatrics and Extended Care Units
  12. the VAMC Active Duty Rehabilitation Unit

Partnering with Project GREAT, the program has been immersing psychology and psychiatry faculty and residents in the Recovery model of mental health care and to participate in the dissemination of these Recovery knowledge, skills, and attitudes throughout Georgia. Recovery-oriented practices in mental health care emphasize freedom and choice in care and the Medical College of Georgia-Charlie Norwood VAMC Psychology Internship has been an integral part of an extensive effort to transform all services and educational endeavors within the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior and at the Charlie Norwood VAMC.  To achieve this transformation to a Recovery-oriented model of care, Project GREAT and this training program have engaged in ongoing training to the faculty and residents/interns of the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior that have included interdisciplinary workshops, monthly newsletters, participation of certified peer specialists in practicum and didactic experiences, and use of recovery practice prompts.  In addition, trainees are periodically required to observe peer support group meetings and the monthly departmental Behavioral Advisory Council – consumer driven council that reviews and advises on the mental health services provided by the department.  Finally, residents/interns are involved in quarterly outreach efforts to provide recovery training to community mental health service providers throughout Georgia.

 

Evaluated: 
Yes
Program Results: 

This program takes into account recovery-oriented care knowledge and attitude assessment, patient satisfaction, sampling of patient documentation, and external reviewers (American College of Psychiatrists and Certified Peer Specialists) when creating evaluations.

Targeted Professions
Physicians: 
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Psychology: 
Clinical
Counseling
Clinical Health
Additional: 
Psychiatry
Self-Reported Competencies
PCPCC’s Education and Training Task Force identified 16 interprofessional training competencies critical for preparing health professionals for practicing in team-based, coordinated care models such as patient-centered medical homes. Listed below are the self-reported competencies that this program has achieved, which have been organized by the five core features of a medical home as defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Patient-Centered Care Competencies: 
Advocacy for patient-centered integrated care
Cultural sensitivity and competence in culturally appropriate practice
Development of effective, caring relationships with patients
Patient-centered care planning, including collaborative decision-making and patient self-management
Comprehensive Care Competencies: 
Assessment of biopsychosocial needs across the lifespan
Coordinated Care Competencies: 
Interprofessionalism & interdisciplinary team collaboration
Quality Care & Safety Competencies: 
Evidence-based practice
Quality improvement methods, including assessment of patient-experience for use in practice-based improvement efforts
Last updated July 21, 2014

* Please note: Information contained in this database is self-reported by representatives from each program. It does not represent an exhaustive list of education and training programs and inclusion does not constitute an endorsement from the PCPCC.

 

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