BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS

August-December 2005

Course Directors:

Marty Adams, Ph.D. madams7417@aol.com

D’ana Snow, Ph.D. dannasnow@aol.com

Phone: 434-3486

Contents:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course provides an overview of the psychological/behavioral components of health and illness. The focus is on the theoretical and practical bases for understanding the complexities of relationships between doctor, patients, their families, their environment and their health issues. The course will highlight ways in which the doctor-patient relationship is at the core of medical care and is significantly impacted by the background, history, and current status of the patient and the self-awareness, attitudes and professionalism of the physician. It will examine the ways in which developmental stages can be used to understand the dynamics of a patient whether in childhood, adolescence, or aging. It will address various mental disorders that present to the physician for diagnosis and treatment. The course will explore common psychosocial problems that cross the lines of specialties, such as substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, and psychological trauma.

GOALS:

Upon completing the course the student will have:

METHODOLOGY:

A variety of instructional methods will be used including lecture, small group exercises, videos, case studies, problem-solving simulations, and multiple choice testing. Many class sessions will be based on a case that is appropriate for the topic. There will be extensive use of resources from the community, from the Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, and from the College of Medicine at large.

GRADING:

Your grade is based upon class participation as well as on exam scores. There will be two multiple-choice tests during the course. These tests will include material from lectures, small group work and reading assignments. Credit will be weighted as follows: Class participation, 20%; Each of two tests, 20%; Final examination, 40%. You must be in class 80% of the time (twelve sessions) to receive full credit for participation.

COURSE DIRECTORS:

Martha S. Adams, Ph.D. and Diana D. Snow, Ph.D., Behavioral Science Faculty in the Department of Family Medicine, will direct and coordinate this course. They will participate in each session in addition to the resource speakers. They will be available at the front of the auditorium after each class. At other times you can reach them by e-mail or by contacting Alicia Camp at the Department of Family Practice. Alicia’s number is 434-3486.

EVALUATION:

You will be asked to fill out course evaluations before each of the two tests and before the final exam. We are always open to feedback.

TEXTBOOKS:

Human Behavior: An Introduction for Medical Students, 3 rd Ed. Stoudemire. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Resource: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4 th Ed. (DSM-IV)

Optional: Behavioral Medicine in Primary Care, Second Edition. Feldmann and Christensen.

Board Review Series, Behavioral Science or High Yield Behavioral Science. Fadem.

Psychiatry Essentials: A Systematic Review. Kolevzon and Simeon.

 

SCHEDULE AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

 

UNIT: Role of the Physician

August 18 Orientation to the Course; Biopsychosocial Model; Doctor/patient Relationship

Objectives:

To understand the course requirements and the grading policy.

To explain the biopsychosocial model of patient care.

To identify factors which influence the success of the

physician-patient relationship.

Speakers: Dr. Adams and Dr. Snow

Reading: TEXT: Chapter 1, pgs3-17, and Chapter 2.

 

August 25 Physician’s Role: Professionalism, Delivering Bad News, Difficult Encounters

Objectives:

To understand the nature of professionalism for the physician.

To develop techniques for presenting unexpected or unwanted information

To identify strategies for managing difficult encounters with patients.

Speakers: Dr. Adams and Dr. Snow

Reading: TEXT: Chapter 1, pgs 17-33.

 

UNIT: Psychosocial Development

September 1 10:00 Families and Culture: Influence on Health and Illness

Objectives:

To define ways in which the family system influences health and

illness behavior

To identify challenges inherent in cross-cultural communication

To understand the importance of cultural influences on health

Speakers: Dr. Adams and Dr. Snow

Reading: TEXT: Chapters 4, 9, and 10, pgs 340-368.

 

11:00 Patient Cooperation

Objectives:

To identify physician behaviors which maximize patient cooperation

To understand how to be effective in helping patients change their

behavior.

Speaker: Allen Perkins, M.D., Department of Family Medicine

 

September 8 Growth and Development in Infancy and Childhood, ADHD, Common Behavioral Problems

Objectives:

To identify normal developmental milestones as well as common

deviations

To name key concepts presented by the major child development

theorists

To discuss diagnosis and treatment of ADHD

Speaker: Franklin Trimm, M.D., Department of Pediatrics

Reading: TEXT: Chapter 8, pgs 261-298.

 

September 15 10:00 Adult Behavioral Concerns: Sexual Health and Chronic Disease Management

Objectives:

To understand appropriate strategies for managing patients with chronic

disease

To recognize some common sexual health issues in adults.

Speaker: Ehab Molokhia, M.D., Department of Family Medicine

Reading: TEXT:Chapters 4 and 7.

 

11:00 Adolescent Development, Common Health and Behavioral Issues

Objectives:

To recognize the major developmental tasks of adolescence

To develop appropriate strategies for establishing rapport with these

adolescent patients and for confronting behavioral problems Speaker: Shannon Morgan, M.D., Department of Family Medicine

Reading: TEXT: Chapters 7 and 8, pgs 296-314.

 

September 22 Geriatric Issues, Aging, Death and Dying, End of Life

Objectives:

To identify the unique problems and psychosocial issues which

influence the older patient

To explore some ways the physician can address these needs

Speaker: Thomi Sharpe, M.D., USA Student Health

Reading: TEXT: Chapter 10, pgs. 368-381.

 

September 29 10:00 TEST 11:00 Stress and Illness

Objectives:

To examine ways in which stressful life events are related to

health/illness.

To understand how some coping strategies affect susceptibility

to illness.

To learn effective ways of managing stress.

Speakers: Dr. Adams and Dr. Snow

Reading: TEXT: Chapter 3.

 

UNIT: Psychopathology

October 6 DSM-IV Classification System for Mental Disorders, Anxiety Disorders

Objectives:

To understand the structure of the diagnostic system for mental

disorders

To recognize and differentiate among common anxiety disorders

and to identify some appropriate treatment strategies

Speakers: Dr. Adams and Dr. Snow

Reading: Reference: DSM-IV, Handouts, Psychiatry Essentials

 

October 13 Psychotic Disorders, Schizophrenia, Mood Disorders

Objectives:

To identify the characteristics of psychosis

To understand the symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorders

To differentiate between thought disorders and mood disorders

Speaker: TBA Reading: Reference: DSM-IV, Handouts, Psychiatry Essentials

 

October 20 Personality Disorders

Objectives:

To understand the system of classifying common personality disorders

To differentiate among these disorders regarding diagnosis and

management

Speakers: TBA

Reading: Reference: DSM-IV, Handouts, Psychiatry Essentials

 

October 27 10:00 Sleep Disorders

Objectives:

To understand the dynamics of sleep disorders, both physical and

psychological.

Speakers: Larry Henderson, M.D. USA Dept. of Family Medicine

Reading: TEXT: Chapter 12, pgs 464-469

 

11:00 Somatization, Adjustment Disorders, Eating Disorders

Objectives:

To identify the characteristics of somatoform disorders, adjustment

disorders, and eating disorders

Speaker: Dr. Adams and Dr. Snow
Reference: DSM-IV, Handouts, Psychiatry Essentials

 

November 3 10:00 TEST 11:00 Psychoanalytic, Behavioral, and Social Learning Theories

Objectives:

To survey some well-known theories of behavior.

To understand the application of these theories to the practice

of medicine.

Speakers: Dr. Adams and Dr. Snow

Reading: TEXT: Chapters 5 and 6.


UNIT: Common Problems

November 11 Psychology and Psychobiology of Child Abuse

Objectives:

To recognize signs of different kinds of child abuse

To understand the role of the physician in situations of child abuse

Speaker: Shannon Morgan, M.D. Department of Family Medicine

Reading: TEXT: Chapter 11

 

November 18 Substance Abuse and Addictions—Alcohol and Other Drugs

Objectives:

To discuss the physiological, psychological, and social factors related to

addictions.

To define alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.

To learn a model for assessing a patient’s readiness to change.

Speakers: Thomi Sharpe, M.D. USA Student Health

 

December 1 Domestic Violence: the Role of the Physician

Objectives:

To discuss the dynamics of domestic violence.

To recognize the signs and symptoms which might be seen in patients.

To develop intervention and referral strategies.

Speakers: TBA

Reading: TEXT: Chapter 12, pgs 459-464

 

December 7 9:00-11:30 FINAL EXAM

Reading: TEXT: Chapter 12pgs 403-459.