All interns in our program receive very broadly-based training at this major academic medical center in mental health and health psychology across the lifespan. We aim to develop individuals who establish excellent working relationships with patients, competently provide evidence-based assessments and interventions, work well with others in fast-paced interdisciplinary environments, while reflecting the highest professional standards. The program provides core training in inpatient and outpatient adult and child psychiatry and a very broad exposure to health psychology in rotations including integrated primary care, onco-psychology, and neurorehabilitation psychology- details below. The program will provide outstanding preparation for work in an academic medical center or other interdisciplinary medical settings.
There are two tracks, the Comprehensive Track and the Underserved Populations Track. There is substantial overlap between the tracks and interns on both tracks work closely together.
Comprehensive Track. The Comprehensive Track offers a very broad range of mental health and health psychology exposures within an academic medical center setting.
Required and elective rotations and activities on this track are as described below:
Interns will participate in the following full (three month) rotations.
- Inpatient Adult Psychiatry Unit
- Inpatient Child Psychiatry Unit
Interns will choose two full elective rotations (three months each) from among:
- Cancer Center
- Neurorehabilitation Unit
- Primary Care Clinic
Interns will have 6 hours per week of patient care (mainly psychotherapy) in the outpatient Psychiatry Clinic throughout the year.
Interns on Comprehennsive Track may elect up to two specialized mini-rotation in the Psychosocial Evaluations for Medical Interventions Program or other specialty clinics such as pain management and neurology.
Underserved Populations Track. The Underserved Populations Track is for individuals who envision further training and work in integrated care, particularly with rural populations, including telemedicine outreach. The Track also offers a very broad range of mental health and health psychology exposures in the academic medical center setting. A significant feature of the track is that the interns do a rotation in an exceptional Certified Community-Based Health Clinic (CCBHC)- a rural integrated primary care clinic- for three months, three days per week. It is two hours south of main campus so a no-cost apartment is provided if desired and interns received compensation for travel. There is also more emphasis on SUDs on this track.
Underserved Populations Track interns will participate in the following full rotations (three months each):
- Inpatient Adult Psychiatry at KUMC
- Inpatient Child Psychiatry at KUMC
- Ashley Clinic/Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center- Integrated Primary Care
Underserved Populations Track interns will choose an additional full elective rotation (three months) from among:
- Cancer Center
- Neurorehabilitation Program
- KUMC Primary Care Clinic
Underserved Populations Track interns will have four hours per week of patient care (mainly psychotherapy) in the Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic throughout the year.
Underserved Populations Track interns will also:
- Receive specialized training in, and clinical experience with, the KU Center for Telemedicine and Telehealth system.
- Participate in preparing and presenting an educational offering to rural or other underserved area consumers, providers or the public.
- Participate in the Underserved Populations Touring Activity which will involve visits to multiple sites including an FQHC, underserved community mental health center, substance abuse clinic, and/or state hospital.
- Participate in a mini rotation in the Addiction Treatment Center at KUMC.
All interns receive extensive didactic training emphasizing clinical application. Didactics feature evidence-based practice, individual and cultural diversity, and special topics such as health disparities and access barriers. There is a strong focus on developing an excellent knowledge of many medical conditions. A special seminar and experiential activities are exclusively devoted to diversity training. Interns receive training in supervision, educate other trainees in multidisciplinary settings, and present in a didactic format. All interns will receive training in supervision. All interns also work with a mentor to design and carry out a program evaluation research project.