Core Curriculum
Our core curriculum brings postdoctoral fellows from all specialty areas together on a weekly basis. It was designed for two purposes: (1) to expose postdoctoral fellows to a broad array of "cutting edge" topics and research findings in psychology and the health care field; and (2) to promote professional development by enhancing fellows' understanding of medical/legal issues, the resolution of ethical dilemmas, career development issues, grant writing skills, sensitivity to cultural diversity, and responsible research practices.
The core curriculum offers numerous opportunities for faculty and peer interaction. It consists of the following components:
Postdoctoral Fellowship Forum: This weekly forum emphasizes professional development. Invited faculty and guests present seminars and lead discussions aimed at enhancing fellows' understanding of medical/legal issues, the practical resolution of ethical dilemmas, effective practice in managed care and medical settings, sensitivity to cultural diversity, and grantsmanship. In addition, each postdoctoral fellow is responsible for one scholarly research presentation each year. This provides presentation experience opportunities for peer consultation.
Grand Rounds/Invited Lecture Series: The Department of Psychiatry's Grand Rounds/Invited Lecture Series includes presentations by noted scholars on a broad array of current, cutting-edge topics relevant to clinical psychology as well as intermittent case presentations. This is a weekly series that promotes breadth of knowledge and the integration of science and practice. Attendance is required of all postdoctoral fellows, with the exception that fellows in the Neuropsychology specialty area have the option of attending Department of Psychiatry or Department of Neurology Grand Rounds each week.
Recent topics in the Department of Psychiatry series include, Sons of alcoholics and controls: Predictors of damaged outcome over 20 years; Morbidity of depression: Clinical strategies for reduction; Neurobiological and clinical correlates of the threshold for suicidal behavior; How nosology inhibits thinking; Monitoring and improving the quality of mental health care; and Learning and teaching in a medical school. Recent topics in the Department of Neurology series include, A case of fluctuating Capgras Syndrome; Corticobasal degeneration: The evolution of a neurodegenerative disorder, and Wilson's disease, and The impact of headache – Outcome, research and quality of life.
Research Responsibility Program: This program is sponsored by the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President for Research. It brings together graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, new faculty and staff, and grant-sponsored research fellows. In addition to lively discussions about ethical and responsible research practices, the series provides an orientation to specific research policies and practices at the University of Michigan. Topics include Introduction to Responsibility in Research; Authorship, Mentorship, and Data Stewardship; Responsible Data Management; Protections for Human and Animal Subjects of Research; and Conflict of Interest. Each topic is covered in one, two-hour session.
Bioethics Grand Rounds: This monthly, case-based series is sponsored by the University of Michigan Hospital and Health Centers Ethics Committee. This is an advisory group that provides consultation to professional staff and patients/families on ethical, moral, and philosophical problems and issues encountered in the course of patient care. This committee is also responsible for providing education on case-based ethical issues and practice standards. Recent Bioethics topics have included Money and trust; Not ready for prime time: Patient demands for genetic testing; Mental health care and managed care: Is it working?; and The 'Autonomous' dependent decision-maker: Weighing the options of care.
Specialty Tracks
Our specialty tracks include Clinical Adult Psychology, Clinical Child Psychology, and Clinical Neuropsychology. These are described on the pages that follow.