Professional Ethics and Psychopharmacology
Duration
- 1 Semester/teaching period
Contact hours
- 36 Hours plus two 3 hour workshops
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
Prerequisites
Admission to the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology) programs.
Corequisites
NilAims and objectives
Aims:
This unit of study has two six week components - advanced professional ethics and psychopharmacology.
1. Utilise an in-depth understanding of psychopharmacology in the treatment of a range of mental health disorders;
2. Apply a body of knowledge that includes the extended understanding of the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines as they apply to confidentiality and informed consent, professional boundaries, report writing and record keeping, and cultural issues;
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the major neurobiological pathways implicated in mental health disorders and the pharmacological treatments that act on these pathways.
2. Apply a body of knowledge that includes the extended understanding of the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines as they apply to confidentiality and informed consent, professional boundaries, report writing and record keeping, and cultural issues;
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the major neurobiological pathways implicated in mental health disorders and the pharmacological treatments that act on these pathways.
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week | Optional - Activity Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact | Seminar | 36 | 12 weeks | 3 | |
| Unspecified Learning Activities | Independent Learning | 108 | 12 weeks | 9 | |
| Face to Face Contact | Workshop | 6 | 2 weeks | 3 | 2 x 3 hr workshops |
| Total Hours: | 150 | Total Hours (per week): | 15 | ||
Assessment
Ethics component:
Applied ethics cases essay (Individual) 50%
Group presentation (Group) 10%
Advanced ethics workshop (Individual) (Pass/Fail) 10%
Psychopharmacology component:
Case report (Individual) 20%
Advanced psychopharmacology workshop (Individual) (Pass/Fail) 10%
Applied ethics cases essay (Individual) 50%
Group presentation (Group) 10%
Advanced ethics workshop (Individual) (Pass/Fail) 10%
Psychopharmacology component:
Case report (Individual) 20%
Advanced psychopharmacology workshop (Individual) (Pass/Fail) 10%
Students are required to attend 100% of scheduled classes.
General skills outcomes
Graduates are capable in their chosen professional area:
• Competence with the management of clients in a professional manner within specialist settings.
• Competence in therapeutic interventions.
• Ability to conduct psychological assessments
• Therapy skills in working with individual clients.
• Competence in directing and evaluating group programs.
Graduates are adaptable and work effectively and ethically:
• Applying the APS Code of Ethics and Guidelines.
Graduates are aware of environments:
• Respect clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Understand the impact of culture on therapy.
• Competence with the management of clients in a professional manner within specialist settings.
• Competence in therapeutic interventions.
• Ability to conduct psychological assessments
• Therapy skills in working with individual clients.
• Competence in directing and evaluating group programs.
Graduates are adaptable and work effectively and ethically:
• Applying the APS Code of Ethics and Guidelines.
Graduates are aware of environments:
• Respect clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Understand the impact of culture on therapy.
Content
In the ethics component, the topics covered will include: confidentiality and informed consent, professional boundaries, report writing and record keeping, and cultural issues. In the psychopharmacology component, topics covered may include: principles of chemical transmission, the action of disease and drugs on chemical transmission, neurochemical bases of bipolar depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, specific neurochemical actions of mood stabilizers, anxiolytics and sedative hypnotics, antipsychotics and cognitive enhancers.
Doctoral students will further develop their therapeutic skills by participating in an advanced-level workshop on principles of e-therapy and e-supported therapy.
Doctoral students will further develop their therapeutic skills by participating in an advanced-level workshop on principles of e-therapy and e-supported therapy.
Study resources
- References.
References
Indicative Reference Materials
Australian Psychological Society. Code of Ethics. Author, 2007.
Australian Psychological Society Ethical Guidelines. (Ninth edition). Author, 2009.
Kaufman, DM, Clinical neurology for psychiatrists, 5th edn, Saunders, New York, 2001.
Leonard, BE, Fundamentals of Psychopharmacology, 3rd edn, Wiley, London, 2003.
Stahl, SM, Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2000.
Australian Psychological Society Ethical Guidelines. (Ninth edition). Author, 2009.
Kaufman, DM, Clinical neurology for psychiatrists, 5th edn, Saunders, New York, 2001.
Leonard, BE, Fundamentals of Psychopharmacology, 3rd edn, Wiley, London, 2003.
Stahl, SM, Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2000.