PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This program will review essential elements of suicide risk assessment in primary care, and address challenges unique to this setting.  The goal is to help participants integrate suicide risk assessment into existing practice in seamless fashion.  In addition to reviewing basic strategies for assessment, risk formulation and management issues will also be discussed.

FACULTY: M. David Rudd, Ph.D., ABPP, is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Texas Tech University, with an adjunct appointment as Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, while maintaining a part-time private practice in clinical psychology.  Dr. Rudd’s undergraduate degree is from Princeton University. He completed his doctoral training at the University of Texas-Austin and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in cognitive therapy at the Beck Institute in Philadelphia under the direction of Aaron T. Beck. Dr. Rudd is a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology and a Fellow of three professional societies: the American Psychological Association (Division 12 and Division 29), the International Association of Suicide Research, and the Academy of Cognitive Therapy (a founding fellow). Dr. Rudd was recently elected a Distinguished Practitioner and Scholar of the National Academies of Practice in Psychology. In addition to his clinical work, he is an active researcher with over 150 publications. Dr. Rudd has authored several books, including Treating Suicidal Behavior (2001, Guilford, 2^nd printing in 2004); Suicide Science: Expanding the Boundaries (2001, Kluwer Academic Publishers; recently released, The Assessment and Management of Suicidality: A Pocket Guide (Professional Resource Press, 2006); and soon to be released, Clinical Work with Suicidal Patients (American Psychological Association). He also is a very active forensic reviewer for malpractice and negligence in suicide cases, taking cases from across the United States. Dr. Rudd serves on a number of editorial boards, is past Chair of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, President of the Texas Psychological Association, President of Division 12 Section VII of the American Psychological Association, is Past-President of the American Association of Suicidology, serves on the Board of Directors of Division 12 (clinical), APA, and was recently elected as the TPA representative to the APA Council of Representatives. Dr. Rudd conducts many national and international continuing education workshops providing training in the assessment and management of high risk patients to a broad array of healthcare professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, family physicians, social workers, and counselors.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:  At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

• recognize the importance of brief suicide risk assessment in primary care,

• identify a basic strategy for suicide risk assessment,

• offer a formulation of risk and an appropriate management response.

INTENDED AUDIENCE:  Physicians, Nurses, and Other Interested Healthcare Professionals.

AGENDA:

12:00 PM – 12:15 PM              Suicidality in Primary Care Settings

12:15 PM – 12:30 AM              Topic: A model for Brief Risk Assessment

12:30 PM – 12:45 PM              Topic: Asking the Right Questions

12:45 PM – 1:00 PM                Topic: Risk Formulation and Management
                                                    Q & A

1:00 PM                                     Program Closure

CONTINUING EDUCATION: The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) certifies this program for 1 contact hour.  A certificate of attendance will be awarded. 

[ CME ]  --  The VA Employee Education System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  The VA Employee Education System designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ^TM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

[ CNE ]  --  The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider # CEP 11270.  This program is approved for 1 contact hour.