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 Clinics
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 two specialized mini-rotation in Psychosocial Evaluations for Medical Interventions Program and other specialty clinics such as pain management and neurology.
Underserved Populations Track. The Underserved Populations Track also offers a very broad range of mental health and health psychology exposures within an academic medical center setting with outreach into the community. It is intended for the intern who wants broadly-based training, but who foresees their career path including working in underserved communities particularly rural areas but also other underserved communities.
Underserved Populations Track interns will participate in the following full rotations (three months each):
- Inpatient Adult Psychiatry at KUMC
- Inpatient Child Psychiatry at KUMC
- Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHCSEK) Primary Care*
Underserved Populations Track interns will choose an additional full elective rotation (three months) from among:
- Cancer Center
- Neurorehabilitation Program
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 (elective).
All interns receive extensive didactic training emphasizing clinical application. Didactics feature evidence-based practice, cultural competency and humility, 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 on a program evaluation research project.
*Interns on the Underserved Populations Track ONLY will have a 13 week rotation at Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Pittsburg, KS. These Underserved Populations Track interns may elect to spend the week on-site in Pittsburg, KS paid by the facility as it is approximately 1 hour, 55 minutes from the main campus. Travel to and from this site once per week is paid 0.56 dollars. The Underserved Populations Track interns may elect to have lodging at a house for trainees at no cost. That is, they can stay at the site during the week if they wish.