PROPOSED SIAP SCHEDULE FOR FOURTH ITERATION
CLASSES BEGINNING JANUARY 2008


UNIT 1: FOUNDATION OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

Class # 1 January 12-13, 2008 (CEP 801)
Welcome and Orientation (LeVine and Hoffman).
Introduction to Gross Anatomy (Hoffman). Systems, organs and tissues of the body and anatomical positions and orientations are reviewed with emphasis upon anatomical features that must be well understood in the prescribing of psychotropics.

Class # 2 Feb 2-3, 2008 (CEP 801)
Neuroanatomy and Chemical Anatomy of the Nervous System (Simson).

Class # 3 March 1-2, 2008 (CEP 801; CEP 802)
Introduction to Chemistry and Biochemistry for the Prescribing Psychologist (Hoffman).
This course will review and update student’s understanding of critical principles in biochemistry, including: chemical compounds and bonds (covalent, ionic, hydrophilic/hydrophobic, hydrogen bonds); atomic theory; organic compounds, bonds and valences; biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids); enzymes and metabolism; transport processes in neurons; biochemical mechanisms of neuronal signaling.

Class # 4 April 5-6, 2008 (CEP 802)
Survey of Human Physiology and Neurophysiology (Hoffman).
This course covers anatomical and physiological concepts underlying central and peripheral nervous system function. Cellular neurophysiology concepts such as the resting potential, action potential and basic ion channel kinetics will be reviewed, as will neurotransmitter receptor function. Second messengers and neural plasticity are also studied in depth.

Class # 5 May 3-4, 2008 (CEP 802)
Survey of Human Physiology and Neurophysiology (Hoffman). (con’t)

 

UNIT 2: PHARMACOLOGY

Class # 6 May 31, June 1, 2008 (CEP 803)
Principles of Pharmacology I (Hoffman).
These lectures will cover the basic principles of drug action, and set the stage for all further discussion of drug action and drug use. The mechanisms of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics determine the properties that characterize all drugs, such as route of administration, dosage and dosing interval. Pharmacokinetics, the manner in which the body affects administered drugs, determines onset and duration of drug action as well as what tissues, organs and organ systems are affected by any drug. Pharmacokinetics also underlies the great majority of drug: drug interactions. Pharmacodynamics, the study of the underlying mechanisms by which drugs exert their effects on the body, includes drug effects on physiological systems as well as the molecular mechanisms of drug action. Objectives include understanding the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of drug action; the central role in drug metabolism of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system; how pH and pKa determine the distribution of drugs across biological membranes; being able to use basic principles, including drug half-lives, to plan and revise dosages and dosing schedules and dose-response relationships. We will also discuss receptor mechanisms of drug tolerance, dependence and withdrawal.

Class # 7 June 28-29, 2008 (CEP 803)
Principles of Pharmacology II (Hoffman). (con’t)

 

UNIT 3: PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY FOR SPECIFIC DISORDERS

Class # 8 July 19-20, 2008 (CEP 803; CEP 804)
Psychopharmacology of Mood (Affective) Disorders I (Preston/Hoffman).
Objectives of this course are to understand the biochemical mechanism(s) underlying the pharmacological efficacy of antidepressant and antimanic treatments; the biochemical, physiological and anatomical bases of adverse effects associated with antidepressant and antimanic treatments; different classes of antidepressant and antimanic drugs and treatments; e.g., tricyclics (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), atypical antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), lithium (Li+), anticonvulsants, and other treatments for affective disorders, and to be able to effective prescribe these medications and manage the medical issues that arise from their use.

Class # 9 August 16-17, 2008 (CEP 804)
Psychopharmacology of Mood Disorders II (Preston/Hoffman). (con’t.)
Diagnosis and treatment of unipolar and bipolar affective disorders will be studied in depth. The treatment of mood disorders of special populations will also be overviewed.

Class # 10 September 13-14, 2008 (CEP 804)
Psychopharmacology of Anxiety and Sleep Disorders (Hoover/Hoffman).
Diagnosis and treatment of broad spectrum anxiety disorders (including general anxiety, OCD) will be discussed. Particular anxiety disorders of children will also be discussed. The etiology of sleep disorders will be overviewed, and the psychopharmacological treatment of sleep disorders will be explored in depth.

Class # 11 October 11-12, 2008 (CEP 805)
Psychopharmacology of Psychosis and Personality Disorders (Mantell/Hoffman).
In this class, students will become skilled in the use of three generations of antipsychotic drugs and review the effects of these drugs on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Students will understand the biochemical mechanism(s) underlying the pharmacological efficacy of antipsychotic drug treatments. Students will learn appropriate psychotherapeutic intervention, means of monitoring and managing the medical issues that arise from psychotropic use. Current treatment algorithms for the management of psychotic disorders will also be reviewed. Some time will also be spent on the use of psychotropic medication in the management of personality disorders.

 

UNIT 4: EVIDENCED-BASED MEDICINE
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT

Class # 12 November 8-9, 2008 (CEP 805)
Faculty of the Family Practice Residency Center.
This class focuses on overall physical assessment. Students will learn methods of medical history taking including documentation of pertinent medical history, medications and drug allergies, chief medical complaint, determination of vital signs and basics of the physical exam will be covered. Students will learn the process of identifying skin disorders, including drug rashes and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, which can be a side effect of various psychotropic medications.


Class # 13 December 6-7, 2008 (CEP 805 & CEP 806)
Pathophysiology and Physical Assessment of the Immune System and Laboratory Assessment.
Faculty of the Family Practice Residency Center
Pathophysiology and physical assessment of disorders of the immune system including cancer and autoimmune illnesses will be studied. Cell Biology will be overviewed with particular emphasis upon types of blood cells. Students will learn the basic lab tests of relevance to a prescribing psychologist.
Students will complete case studies regarding pathophysiology of the immune system in which they integrate their understanding of the diagnosis and treatment.

Class # 14 January 3-4, 2009 (CEP 806)
Pathophysiology and Physiological Assessment of the Cardiovascular System.
Faculty of the Family Practice Residency Center
Many psychopharmacological agents have significant effects on the cardiovascular system. The prescribing psychologist must be very familiar with the normal physiology of the cardiovascular system and how its function is affected by drugs. The student will become familiar with the normal and pathological electrocardiogram.
Students will identify laboratory tests appropriate for assessing the cardiovascular system. Students will complete case studies regarding pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system in which they integrate their understanding of the diagnosis and treatment.

Class # 15 January 31-February 1, 2009 (CEP 806)
Pathophysiology and Physical Assessment of the Pulmonary System.
Faculty of the Family Practice Residency Center
Students will learn pulmonary functioning and assessment with particular emphasis on respiratory exchange and respiratory involvement in acid-based regulation. Disorders and treatment of respiratory functioning will also be studied.

Students will identify laboratory tests appropriate for assessing the pulmonary system and acid-base balance. Students will complete case studies regarding pathophysiology of the pulmonary system in which they integrate their understanding of the diagnosis and treatment.

Class # 16 February 28-March 1, 2009 (CEP 807)
Pathophysiology and Physical Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System.
Faculty of the Family Practice Residency Center
Students will learn about digestion, absorption and excretion of drugs and nutrients from the GI system, disorders of GI functioning, hepatic functioning, as well as innervation of the GI tract are also studied.

Students will identify laboratory tests appropriate for assessing the gastrointestinal system. Students will complete case studies regarding pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal system in which they integrate their understanding of the diagnosis and treatment.


Class # 17 March 28-29, 2009 (CEP 807)
Pathophysiology and Physical Assessment of the Renal System and Male Reproductive System.
Faculty of the Family Practice Residency Center
Changes in renal function can have a dramatic effect on steady-state levels of many drugs primarily excreted by the kidney. In addition, some psychotropic medications can affect kidney function, or may even be toxic to the kidney (e.g. Li+). A very good understanding of renal function is critical to the successful use of many psychotropic drugs.

Students will identify laboratory tests appropriate for assessing the renal system and male reproductive system. Students will complete case studies regarding pathophysiology of the renal system and male reproductive system in which they integrate their understanding of the diagnosis and treatment.

Class # 18 April 18-19, 2009 (CEP 807 & CEP 808)
Pathophysiology and Physical Assessment of Endocrine and Exocrine Functions, Female Reproductive System and Pain Disorders.
Faculty of the Family Practice Residency Center
The endocrine system is studied as it influences and controls many aspects of the overall physiology of the body and is also a locus for adverse effects of many drugs, including antipsychotic drugs. Endocrine functioning of the female system is emphasized.

Students will also learn about the origin and treatment of various pain disorders.

Students will identify laboratory tests appropriate for assessing the endocrine and exocrine functions as well as female reproductive system. Students will complete case studies regarding pathophysiology of the endocrine, exocrine functions and pain disorders and integrate their understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.

Class # 19 May 16-17, 2009 (CEP 808)
This class is an in-depth integration of diagnosis of neurological disorders. (M. Simson, MD and Thompson, Ph.D.)
Students will learn how to complete a brief physical neurological exam and to integrate those findings with a brief paper and pencil neuropsychological exam.

Class # 20 June 13-14, 2009 (CEP 808)
Faculty of the Family Practice Residency Center
Students will demonstrate their skills in completing a physical examination. The course also provides an integration of laboratory testing so that students will achieve competency in selecting, ordering and interpreting tests important in the practice of psychopharmacology.

 

UNIT 5: SPECIAL TOPICS

Class # 21 July 11-12, 2009 (CEP 809)
Special Populations – Children (Kurtz/Hoffman)
This course provides and in-depth study of disorders and treatments of children.

Class # 22 August 8-9, 2009 (CEP 809)
Special Populations – Elderly (Geriatric Specialist/Hoffman)
This course provides and in-depth study of disorders and treatments of the elderly.


Class # 23 September 12-13, 2009 (CEP 809 & CEP 810) (Mantell/Hoover)
A course in ethnopsychiatry reviews the epidemiology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs prescribed to women and across ethnic groups.

Professional issues in psychopharmacology are also reviewed.

Class # 24 October 10-11, 2009 (CEP 810) (Simson/Hoover)
The various substance abuse disorders are discussed with particular emphasis on psychotropics that can be used to decrease cravings.

Treatment of dual diagnosis patients is also explored.

Class # 25 November 13-14, 2009 (CEP 810) (Hoover/Hoffman)
A synthesis and overview of the coursework is provided as well as an advanced look at ethical professional issues.