Postdoctoral Fellowship in Behavioral Medicine

There are no Behavioral Medicine fellowships available for 2008.

Below is information about the Behavioral Medicine fellowship:

Two half-clinical and half-research fellowship positions are available in Behavioral Medicine at the University of Virginia Health System for the 2007-2009 fellowship period. Individuals interested in developing a career in clinical research specializing in health psychology issues are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a particular interest and/or experience in diabetes, pediatrics, driving safety, ADHD, obesity, and/or eHealth are preferred.

Fellows are exposed to a broad range of clinical training experiences with medically-ill children and adults and have the opportunity to learn how to function as a member of a multidisciplinary health care team in a hospital setting. Clinical experiences will include conducting psychological assessments (many of which are specifically tailored for particular medical problems), providing treatment typically using a cognitive-behavioral orientation, and providing consultation services for patient care teams in numerous areas of the hospital (Endocrinology, Surgery, Gastroenterology, Neurology, and Pediatrics). The majority of clinical time focuses on outpatient services.

Fellows also work closely with a research team that has a long, successful track record in securing NIH and industry funded grants. Fellows are expected to participate in one or more of several funded projects which have been are centralized in a recently renovated 2000 square foot part of the Center for Behavioral Medicine Research adjacent to the Behavioral Medicine Clinic. Fellows will spend ~45% of their time on clinical research in one or more of the four main focus areas: Pediatrics (diabetes, bowel disorders, AD/HD), Type 1 Diabetes, and Driving Safety, and eHealth. In many cases, these areas overlap. For example, projects focusing on Pediatric Encopresis and eHealth or Diabetes and eHealth are established. See below for a list of current research projects. Fellows will become significantly involved in the area of their choosing and will have the opportunity to initiate their own research projects. More specific information about clinical, research, and educational opportunities is provided below.

Clinical Focus (45%)

Behavioral Medicine

The Behavioral Medicine Center provides services for a wide variety of patient populations and presenting problems. Referral sources include UVA medical clinics, physicians in private practice, and UVA Student Health. Medical populations include those presenting with problems that are caused or exacerbated by psychobehavioral processes, including insomnia, diabetes, constipation, encopresis, enuresis, irritable bowel disorder, sexual dysfunction, obesity, hypertension, headaches, cardiovascular disease, TMD, and tic disorders. Services are also provided for patients who are having difficulty adjusting to, and coping with, the emotional and behavioral demands of acute, chronic, and life-threatening medical problems. In addition to these presenting problems, services are provided for patients with eating disorders, OCD, phobias, other anxiety disorders, habit control problems (e. g., trichotillomania), depression, and adjustment disorders not related to medical illness.

Patients’ ages range from early childhood to the geriatric years. Presenting problems are typically treated with empirically documented treatment protocols that are individually-tailored to a patient’s personality and needs. A cognitive-behavioral approach to treatment is typically utilized. While many of these interventions are brief in duration, Fellows may have the opportunity to do longer-term work with some patients.

Educational & Professional Development (10%)

The Program Director schedules meetings for the postdoctoral fellows across sub-specialty areas during the academic year to discuss administrative issues and professional development.

There are numerous opportunities for educational and professional development, including:

  • Grand Rounds in Psychiatric Medicine
  • Clinical Case Conferences
  • Sleep Lab Seminar/Case Conference
  • Neuropsychology’ Seminar and Journal Club
  • Introduction to Clinical Investigation, a six-month course offered for fellows and new faculty through the UVA medical school.

Research Focus (45%)

Fellows participate in research throughout the fellowship. Specific research projects are determined by the professional goals and interests of the Fellow and include:

  • Effects of Type 1 Diabetes on Children
  • Effects of Hypoglycemia on Driving in Type 1 Diabetes
  • Effects of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and its medication management on Driving Safety.
  • Assessment of basic perceptual, motor and cognitive skills relevant to driving with a virtual-reality driving simulator.
  • Medical and Psychosocial Outcomes of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Fellows will also have the opportunity to develop small, original research projects in one of the current areas of research, or a related area in which the Fellow has a strong interest.

Core Faculty

  • Linda Gonder-Frederick, Ph.D. (BM Director of Training & Clinic Director)
  • Daniel Cox, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. (Director of Research Center)
  • Andrea Bauchowitz, Ph.D.
  • Scott Bender, Ph.D.
  • Doug DeGood, Ph.D.

Current Fellows

  • Laura Campbell, Ph.D.
  • Jason Haium, Ph.D.

 

DIRECT INQUIRIES AND MATERIALS TO:

Linda Gonder-Frederick, Ph.D.
Behavioral Medicine Center
Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences
University of Virginia Health System
P. O. Box 800223
Charlottesville, VA 22908-0223
mailto:LEER@Virginia.edu

 

Other Available Fellowships:

Faculty and Fellows
Psychology Residencies Home Page and Application Instructions