Littrell Radiology

Course Description: This course reviews the history of chiropractic and the treatment of mental illness. Consideration is given to the definition of mental illness, assessment, and treatment or referral protocol. Management of stress, communication, and the doctor/patient relationship are also covered in order to facilitate better treatment outcomes.

Goals: Upon successful completion of the Clinical Psychology course, the student will be able to: identify the clinical presentations of various mental illnesses; recognize the effects of mental illnesses on a patient’s physical and psychological health; examine cultural and socioeconomic influences on doctor-patient relationships; perform referrals to mental health care professionals when appropriate; review the history of chiropractic treatment of patients with mental illnesses.

Course Outcomes:

Attitudes students will possess upon completion of the Clinical Psychology course:
A1: Explain the importance of the patient’s psychosocial environment and its effects on health
A2: Describe the influence of psychosocial, economic, and cultural factors on the physical and psychological health of a patient

Knowledge students will possess upon completion of the Clinical Psychology course:

K1: Explain the diagnostic criteria and clinical features of various mental illnesses and know how to perform a referral to a mental health care professional
K2: Assess the impact of psychosocial, economic, and cultural factors on the patient’s ability to accurately report symptoms, comply with instructions or recommendations, and respond to chiropractic care
K3: Discuss chiropractic’s history of treatment of the mentally ill

Skills students will possess upon completion of the Clinical Psychology course:

S1: Identify screening examinations for evaluating a patient’s psychological status
S2: Modify history-taking, physical examination, and chiropractic intervention procedures when caring for a patient affected by mental illness
S3: Record psychosocial, cultural, and economic factors in an accurate and complete manner within the patient’s record

Evaluations: Examinations will be matching, true/false, multiple choice, and/or essay formats and will consist of three (3) 100 point interim examinations. All examinations must be completed in order to receive a grade for the course.

Examination #1: Thursday, December 6th 2007; M201
Examination #2: Thursday, January 24th, 2008; M201
Examination #3 (final): Monday, February 18th, 2008; W210 (and W216 for overflow only)

Missed examinations: Make-up examinations are reserved for emergencies and extraordinary circumstances. Only one (1) examination may be made up if missed. If more than one examination is missed, the points for that exam will be forfeited. Examinations may not be missed for reasons of poor preparation. The instructor must be notified prior to the administration of the examination if the student must miss the examination. The student may leave a message on the instructor’s voicemail at 563-884-5844. Documentation of those circumstances may be requested at the instructor’s discretion. The make-up time and date for Examinations #1 and #2 is Wednesday, February 13th at 9:20 a.m. in M201. The Final exam make-up must be made up on the first Tuesday of the next trimester (Tuesday, March 4th, 2008) at 9:20 a.m. (room TBA, check bulletin board and website). The format of make-up exams may be essay, short answer, true/false, and multiple choice. No exam will be administered to any individual on a date prior to the date an exam is given to the entire class.

Total points for the course: 300 points are available from interim examinations. Five points are earned by returning the syllabus receipt on the first day of class only. Additionally, the instructor reserves the right to assign periodic exercises or activities to be completed in and out of the classroom. These additional assignments may be graded and factored into the total grade for the course and may be worth from 10-20 points each.

Grading scale: 93-100% 4 (A)

83-92%   3 (B)
73-82%   2 (C)
0-72%     No Credit

All examinations must be completed in order to receive a passing grade for the course. Failure to sit for an examination will result in a Grade 6 (Incomplete) for the course. The incomplete grade must be completed by the first Friday of the following term in which the student is enrolled.

Quizzes: The instructor will periodically give short answer and essay quizzes during the class period. These quizzes will cover the material discussed during the previous lectures or the current day’s lecture. Quizzes will be unannounced and given periodically and randomly during the lecture periods. Any points earned will be extra credit. Quizzes cannot be made up if missed. Approximately 6-10 quizzes will be given throughout the term and will be worth 1-3 points each.

Bonus multiplier: If a student is in class and submits all the quizzes given during the course, an additional 10 bonus points will be added to the total points for the class. If any of the quizzes are not submitted, no bonus multiplier will be added.

Attendance policy: Attendance will be taken through the submission of the bonus/extra credit quizzes. If a student misses 4 quizzes or more (no matter the total number of quizzes given), he or she will be considered “overcut” for the course and will receive a failing grade (Grade 8) and will be required to repeat the course. It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to keep track of the number of quizzes submitted. The instructor will not post the quiz scores until the end of the term.

Grades and announcements will be posted at www.littrellradiology.com. This site may also be accessed through the faculty page link at www.palmer.edu. According to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students may request that grades be omitted from public posting. The student must submit a written retraction of his or her permission to post grades to the Registrar’s office and the instructor.

Special needs: It is the policy and practice of Palmer College of Chiropractic to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and state and local requirements regarding students and applicants with disabilities. Under these laws, no qualified individual with a disability shall be denied access to or participation in services, programs, and activities of Palmer College of Chiropractic. Enrolled students who have disabilities shall be given necessary accommodations and/or reasonable adjustments based upon specific information and assessment data documented by a qualified professional.

Student religious observances: In order to accommodate an individual student’s participation in religious observances, Palmer College requires that the student advises each of their instructors, in writing, at the beginning of an academic term the holiday and date of observance the student is requesting relief from their course(s). This policy does not in any way release the student from the responsibility of satisfying all requirements necessary for the successful completion of any course.

Inclement weather: If inclement weather forces the cancellation of class, the material to be covered on the cancelled class day (including scheduled examinations) will be covered when classes resume.

Notice for 9th and 10th trimester students: Students who are scheduled to graduate with the current 9th or 10th trimester class must notify the instructor as soon as possible so that grades may be submitted to the Registrar in a timely manner.

Policy on cheating and unethical behavior: Cheating of any form (including, but not limited to: crib notes, possession of old examinations, viewing others’ tests during an examination or quiz, plagiarism, signing attendance forms for others) is prohibited. Unethical behavior or disruptive behavior in the classroom is also prohibited. Please arrive on time for class and turn off pagers and cell phones during the lecture. Academic Dishonesty Statement from the Office of Adjudication: “Students are expected to comply with Palmer’s Student Code of Ethics. Students are strongly encouraged to carefully read the entire Student Code of Ethics as published in the Student Handbook. Cheating, plagiarism, other acts of dishonesty and/or any other violations of Palmer’s Student Code of Ethics may result in the filing of a charge of misconduct under the Student Disciplinary Code as described in the Student Handbook. Sanctions up to and including suspension or dismissal from the College may be imposed upon students found to have violated the Code of Student Ethics. Please refer to the Palmer Student handbook or contact the Office of Adjudication/Compliance (4th floor, Administration Building, extension 5476) should you have any questions.”

Violations of the course policies or of the policies of the Student Ethics Handbook will be referred to the Student Ethics Committee for review and resolution.

Test-out policy for Clinical Psychology: Credit for this course may be given if the student has earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Psychology, with an emphasis in Clinical Psychology. Equivalent coursework must not have been used to meet prerequisite requirements. Test-out is not available for students without psychology-related degrees earned prior to matriculation to Palmer College of Chiropractic. Please see the instructor within one week of the start of the course to determine eligibility for test-out.

Children in the classroom: Children are not permitted in the classroom, with the exception of emergency situations in which childcare cannot be arranged (snow cancellation, child care provider’s illness, etc.). UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES may a child be permitted in the classroom during an examination.

Animals in the classroom: Only service animals are allowed in the classroom. You may not bring your pet into the classroom.

Electronic equipment: The use of laptops, cell phones, and recording equipment is prohibited in the classroom.

Text: There is no required text.

Note set: A copy of the lecture notes can be purchased in the Palmer Vet’s Club (First floor of West Hall). If lecture notes are not in stock, orders may be placed and filled within approximately 3 days.

Recommended Texts/Resources:

Alder B, Psychology of Health: Applications of Psychology for Health Professionals, 2ed. 2000.

Feldman M, Christensen J, Behavioral Medicine in Primary Care: A Practical Guide, Lange, 1997.
Palmer DD, The Chiropractor’s Adjuster, Portland Printing House Co., 1910.
Strang VV, Essential Principles of Chiropractic, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1985.
DSM-IV.

Course Outline:

Psychology of Health

Illness behavior and perception of illness; Stress and disease; Stress and health professionals; Emotional causes of disease; Difficult patients; Adherence/non-adherence; Pain/Chronic illness; Suicide: Risk factors and management

Psychological Disorders

Introduction to the psychosocial assessment; Mental Status Exam; Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders; Mood disorders; Anxiety disorders; Personality disorders; Somatoform disorders; Dissociative disorders; Eating disorders; Dementia; Referral protocol

The history of chiropractic and the treatment of mental illness

Printed Name __________________________________ Matric # ___________ PCC Box # _______

THIS INFORMATION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ONLY THE COURSE INSTRUCTOR, THE REGISTRAR, AND YOUR ASSIGNED CLINIC FACULTY

Receipt and acceptance of the terms of this syllabus:

By my signature, I acknowledge receipt of this syllabus. Additionally, my signature indicates that I have read the syllabus and understand its contents and the course requirements detailed within the syllabus. Further, I understand that it will be vital that I check the bulletin board outside W315 and/or the website at www.littrellradiology.com for important announcements concerning the course and any schedule changes. Finally, I acknowledge that questions concerning the contents of the syllabus should be directed to the course instructor.

Signature ________________________________________

It is expected that communication concerning this course will be initiated by the student. In the event that the instructor needs to contact you, please provide current telephone number(s). Additionally, please provide an email address where you can be contacted.

Home telephone ____________________ Cell phone ____________________

Do you have an email address that you check regularly? Yes or No (circle one)

If yes, please provide the email address: ________________________________________