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CAPP TASK FORCE ON PRESCRIPTION PRIVILEGES: RECOMMENDED POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP TRAINING IN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
PREREQUISITES
To participate in fellowship training in psychopharmacology, the CAPP Task Force on Prescription Privileges (Task Force) recommends the following prerequisites:
1. A doctoral degree in psychology (i.e., Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D.);
2. Current state license.
The Task Force views undergraduate or graduate level instruction in human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, psychophysiology, neuroanatomy, and psychopharmacology as beneficial, but not required for successful completion of the fellowship. The Task Force recommends that individuals who possess a Doctorate of Mental Health or who have successfully completed fellowship training in psychopharmacology through the Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project be considered exempt from these training requirements.
TRAINING CURRICULUM
The Task Force envisions that fellowship training in psychopharmacology will consist of intensive didactic instruction in psychopharmacology followed by a closely supervised clinical practicum.The Task Force in general supports the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Task Force of Professional Education Task Force of the California Psychological Association and the California School of Professional Psychology-Los Angeles. The following recommendations are based in significant part on the curriculum devised by that group.
DIDACTIC INSTRUCTION
A minimum of 300 contact hours of didactic instruction is recommended in the following core content areas:
I. Neurosciences
II. Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology
III. Physiology and Pathophysiology
IV. Physical and Laboratory Assessment
V. Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics
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Recommended contact hours in each area are as follows:
| Topic | Hours |
| I. Neurosciences | |
| A. Neuroanatomy | 25 |
| B. Neurophysiology | 25 |
| C. Neurochemistry | 25 |
| II. Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology | |
| A. Pharmacology | 30 |
| B. Clinical Pharmacology | 30 |
| C. Psychopharmacology | 45 |
| D. Developmental Psychopharmacology | 10 |
| E. Chemical Dependency and Chronic Pain Management | 15 |
| III. Pathophysiology | 60 |
(Includes normal anatomy and physiological processes as well as common
pathological states, with an emphasis on how alterations in cardiovascular,
renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, neural, and endocrine functions affect
bioavailability and biodisposition of drugs. This area should also address
variability in drug bioavailability and disposition due to ethnic and cultural
differences.)
| IV. Introduction to Physical Assessment and Laboratory Exams | 45 |
(Familiarity with medical charts, physical exams, laboratory and radiological
examinations).
| V. Pharmacotherapeutics | |
| A. Professional, ethical, and legal issues | 15 |
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| B. Psychotherapy/pharmacotherapy interactions | 10 |
| C. Computer-based aids to practice | 5 |
| D. Pharmacoepidemiology | 10 |
CLINICAL PRACTICUM
The clinical practicum is designed to be an intensive, closely supervised experience involving exposure to a rge of patients and diagnose. Ideally, it will take place in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and allow the practitioner to gain exposure to acute, short-term, and maintenance medication strategies. Age, gender, and ethnicity should be important factors in determining an appropriate patient mix. A minimum of 100 patients, for whom the trainee assumes direct clinical responsibility, should be the goal of training. Additional didactics, such as the sequence in Pharmacotherapeutics outlined above, may be included as seminars or colloquia during clinical training, as should additional training in physical and laboratory assessment. Supervision should be provided by qualified practitioners with demonstrated skills and experience in clincal psychopharmacology.
Requirements:
*Minimum of 100 patients seen for medication
*Inpatient and outpatient placements
*Inclusion of appropriate didactic instruction
*Minimum of 2 hours weekly individual supervision
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