Tag Archives: APA

Three Reasons Why Psychologists Belong in Healthcare Settings

By David Martin, PhD, ABPP (Senior Director, APA Office on AIDS)

For most of my early career as a psychologist, I felt like most professional psychologists IHIV Specialist Cover knew outside my healthcare setting thought what I did wasn’t psychology because (a) it wasn’t traditional psychotherapy, (b) my approach was behavioral, and (c) I was working in a healthcare setting practicing clinical health psychology.

The December 2013 issue of the HIV Specialist provides a great example of why psychologists belong in healthcare settings and how they can and should retain their identity as psychologists even if they aren’t engaging in traditional psychotherapy. While the issue was written for healthcare professionals in HIV care, I encourage you as graduate students in psychology to read it because:

  1. It shows an understanding that mental and physical health are inseparable. It represents an effort to inform (primarily) non-psychologist healthcare providers of the important roles that psychology can and should play in the management of HIV disease, as well as in education and prevention.
  2. It highlights the unique expertise of psychologists in the healthcare setting. Psychologists working in HIV/AIDS have essential skills that benefit the sick. WeHealthcare have expertise extending well beyond traditional psychotherapy into areas such as pain management, treatment adherence, rehabilitation, and other important facets of treatment. Although the articles were intended for non-psychologist healthcare providers, if you think you may be interested in work in HIV/AIDS, these articles may provide you with an overview of some of the issues and help provide additional guidance as you move forward in your education and training.
  3. It shows that psychologists are part of integrated healthcare’s future. Last year, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reported data demonstrating the vital importance of integrated care in engaging and retaining people with HIV/AIDS in care. The issue illustrates implicitly how psychology can be useful in the context of healthcare in general, highlighting psychology’s role in the provision of integrated care. Many of the issues confronting people with HIV/AIDS mirror those of individuals facing other health challenges, and psychology can and should play a vital role in their management as well. Integrated healthcare is coming; these articles provide an illustration of what integrated healthcare can look like when psychology is included in the mix.

Check out these resources to learn more about psychology’s role in integrated healthcare:

Apply for an APA Graduate Student Public Interest Policy Internship

The American Psychological Association’s Public Interest Government Relations Office (PI-GRO) is seeking two graduate student interns for the 2014-2015 academic year.  Graduate student interns will gain first-hand knowledge of the ways in which psychological research can inform public policy and the roles psychology can play in its formulation and implementation. The graduate student intern will spend one year working with PI-GRO staff to influence legislative and regulatory activities impacting populations and issues, such as: aging; children, youth, and families; disabilities; ethnic minorities; individuals with HIV/AIDS; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons; socioeconomic status; women; as well as social concerns (e.g. media; or trauma, violence, and abuse). The intern’s activities include participating in legislative and advocacy work, such as assisting in the preparation of testimony and briefing papers and attending congressional hearings and coalition meetings.  Applications are due on March 21, 2014.

 

Click here for more information on the internship and application materials please visit:

5 Reasons to Submit a Proposal to APAGS for APA Convention

1) Free Registration! What graduate student doesn’t appreciate a freebie? APA will waive your Convention registration fee ($70) if you serve as a first author on a program or poster at APA Convention, are an APAGS member, and list APAGS member (not student affiliate) on your proposals. Read the APAGS FAQ for more details.

2) Looks great on a CV! Presenting at APA Convention can be an impressive addition to your curriculum vitae. Where else do you get a chance to present your work and ideas to a national audience?

3) Travel to a new city.  APA Convention is hosted in various cities in the U.S. and Canada each year. In 2014, Convention will be held in Washington, D.C. Never been to the nation’s capital? D.C. comes alive in the summertime! Come spend your days hearing about what’s new in the field of psychology and your evenings exploring historical monuments or one of the more than two dozen free museums D.C. has to offer.  APAGS will even help full your schedule as we host our must-attend annual social event one evening.

APAGS 2012_

APAGS 2012

4) Meet your psychology idol! You never know who you might meet at Convention! Students attending the 2012 APA Convention in Orlando, Florida got a chance to meet and take pictures with Dr. Philip Zimbardo, of Stanford Prison Experiment fame. A number of eminent psychologists attend APA Convention each year. Submit your proposal to APAGS and come to DC and see what famous psychologists you meet!

5) Network with other students and psychologists! APA and APAGS provide students with numerous opportunities to network at Convention. From social events, to speed mentoring, to meet-and-greets with researchers and training directors, there are plenty of activities to help you expand your circle.

If we’ve convinced you to apply and you’re already wondering how to afford it, have a look at our strategies to save for helpful tips on how to fund your trip to Convention. The deadline to submit a Convention submission is December 2, 2013.

Have any great Convention stories or tips you’d like to share? Please consider submitting a guest post to the gradPSYCH Blog!