Instructor and Assistant
Elizabeth Huddleston, Psy.D., Broughton Hospital          828/433-2282     Elizabeth.Huddleston@ncmail.net
Fern Duncan, Prgm. Asst., Davidson College                    704/894-2445     feduncan@davidson.edu

Broughton Hospital

Coursework

Practicum (PSY 290), Dr. Elizabeth Huddleston
This course emphasizes on-site experiential placement, and learning also takes place via classroom discussion of issues and questions that arise from practicum hospital placement.  It is assumed that students have previously taken a course in abnormal psychology.

Students are expected to keep a written journal (without patient identifying information) relating what they do on their placement, as well as subjective evaluations, questions raised, and inferences drawn.  Journals are due for review on a weekly basis.  Students are also expected to complete an experience-based paper (again, without patient identifying information).  Weekly meetings will address students’ practicum experiences, questions and special issues that may arise, student and faculty case presentations, and lectures regarding clinical psychopathology.  Each student will be responsible for conducting one case presentation to the class, maintaining a journal of experiences, and doing a project that reflects a case-specific diagnostic study, which may require additional research outside of class time.

PSY 290 is graded on a pass/fail basis for Davidson students.  For students of other schools, PSY 290 is graded on a pass/fail basis or for a letter grade if requested at enrollment.  In general, this course is the equivalent of a challenging semester course or a heavy credit hour quarter course at most colleges or universities.  Non-Davidson students should clarify transfer credit with their registrars and should verify the transferability of a pass/fail credit.  Students should expect that coursework requirements are consistent with regular Davidson College course credit.  Essentially, this means that work ordinarily completed over a 15-week semester will be performed in a shorter 8-week timeframe.

Practicum Placements

As the summer session begins, students will be assigned to one of several placement options within the hospital.  Students may have some choice; however, space on each division is limited, so not all students may have their first choice.  Service to the hospital is an important aspect of all placement options. Expected placement options include the Adult Admission Division, the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Division or the Specialty Services Division, which includes the adolescent units. Each practicum student will be supervised by a member of the Broughton Hospital Psychology Department who is assigned to that respective division.  Students will meet with their on-site supervisor for at least one hour each week.

Field Trips

Students may have the opportunity to participate in other hospital trainings and/or field trips to settings where activities relevant to clinical psychology are occurring.

Guest Speakers

Guest speakers may be invited to meet with students.

Ethics, Professionalism, and Relationships with Patients and Broughton Staff

We are now in our thirty-sixth year of the Davidson-Broughton Summer Program.  The relationship between the hospital and the college has been a very positive one, and each year students contribute to that positive relationship. Students must consider themselves as operating under the same ethical and professional guidelines as if they were paid employees of the hospital. All information garnered from patient records, patient interviewing, or other observations must be held in strictest confidence.  It is especially important to be careful about comments made off the hospital grounds (such as in restaurants) and comments made around patients.  Each student will sign a document that specifies agreement to abide by the particulars of these confidentiality regulations.  Equally important are interactions with patients and staff.  Students often find it difficult to understand why various treatment interventions or other actions are taken with patients.  While students’ services to the hospital are valued, it is very important to remember that students are not authorized to take any action with patients unless specifically requested by their supervisor on that particular division.  Broughton patients may attempt to manipulate or take advantage of Davidson-Broughton students and may tend to place them in difficult positions.  It is also sometimes easy to "over identify" with patients.  Please rely on the instructor, supervisors, and Broughton staff members for guidance in patient interactions.

Living Arrangements

Students have the option of finding their own local housing arrangements or staying in housing provided on the grounds of the Hospital (for a room fee of $100 for the program duration).

• The dormitories will be renovated in spring 2008. Dormitory students live in double-occupancy rooms with beds, desks, and dressers, but share communal dormitory-style bathrooms.  The dormitories may be shared with professional staff from the Hospital. Students are expected to follow the strict guidelines of the Hospital, including cleaning after using shared kitchen facilities and keeping rooms clean, and to be respectful and courteous of the primary residents’ needs and customs.
• If the dormitory construction is not completed by May 27, the start date of the program, students will stay in other staff housing on the Hospital campus (probably a staff house which has 3 double-occupancy bedrooms, 1 shared bathroom).  The $100 room fee is required with the tuition deposit at application deadline date (April 1).
• Students may choose to find alternate local housing arrangements; however, we are unable to help locate off-site housing. Though the student may intend to find local housing, the room fee ($100) is still required with the tuition deposit at the application submission date (April 1).  If the student finds local housing, notification must be made to the Davidson College Psychology Department (704-894-2445, feduncan@davidson.edu ) no later than May 12 for refund of the room fee.  We are unable to refund the room fee after May 12.

Meals

Meals are at the student’s expense. The hospital cafeteria - directly behind Avery Building - is open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays, with the exception of holidays and/or special circumstances.  The largest concentration of restaurants is on South Sterling St. between the hospital and Interstate 40.

Fees & Expenses

Student tuition and room fees are $800.00.  A $100 tuition deposit plus a $100 room fee should be mailed with the application, payable to Davidson College.  This $200 deposit will be refunded if the application is not accepted.  Half of the remaining tuition ($300) with a signed copy of the acceptance letter is due by May 1.  If minimum enrollment has not been met by May 1, we will cancel the program and refund all money.  Otherwise, the balance of tuition ($300) is due by May 27. If a student drops out of the program after May 1, we will not be able to refund the tuition payment.  No financial aid from Davidson College is available.  Davidson students may consult with the Financial Aid office about a student loan.

Health Requirements

The Broughton Hospital patient population comprises a variety of individuals including the severely mentally ill.  Aggressive individuals, patients with HIV infection, and patients with hepatitis are among this patient population.  Most experts recommend the hepatitis B vaccination series for anyone in health care, so prospective students should speak to their physician immediately about the series, which occurs in doses at 0, 1, and 6 months, to allow time to have at least the first two vaccines by May 27.  Students accepted to the program must either sign a waiver declining the vaccination or must present evidence of having the first vaccine by April 1 (application deadline) and the second by May 27 (program start date).  In addition, a tuberculosis test within the 6 months prior to program start date is required and the results brought to the program on May 27. Any student who does not have the tuberculosis report by May 27, will not be allowed to work on the ward until this is completed.  More information on the health risks and requirements will be sent to students at time of acceptance notification in the program or by request to Davidson College Psychology Dept.  (704-894-2445, feduncan@davidson.edu).