The National Addiction Centre provides practically orientated addiction and co-existing disorders education at a postgraduate level. This education has been developed for clinicians working with people who have addiction and co-existing disorders in a variety of settings which includes alcohol and drug services, mental health services, the primary health care sector and justice services.

An important feature of NAC taught postgraduate courses is they are all offered on a national basis, with typically more than half of enrolled students coming from outside the Christchurch area. Distance teaching is achieved utilising a variety of methods including block courses, teleconference classes, local supervision and internet discussion groups.

PSMX 404 is a clinically focused paper that emphasises the development of clinical skills related to comprehensive assessment and management planning of people with alcohol and drug problems and co-existing mental health and substance use disorders. It is designed to be a companion paper to PSMX 422 "Treatment of Addiction and Co-existing Disorders". PSMX 404 is co-ordinated by Dr Fraser Todd, psychiatrist.

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THIS PAPER?

On successful completion of this paper students will:

1. Understand the range of approaches to screening and assessment of people with alcohol and drug problems
2. Be able to complete a comprehensive assessment of patients with moderate-severe alcohol and drug dependence
3. Be able to formulate an appropriate management plan based on the findings of the comprehensive assessment
4. Be able to communicate the findings of the assessment and management plan concisely and effectively
5. Be able to communicate the findings of the assessment and management plan concisely and effectively via a written report
6. Be able to conduct a feedback session to patients and significant others

HOW WILL THE PAPER BE RUN IN 2010?

PSMX 404 will be run in the second semester as a combination of two three-day block courses and approximately eight audio conferences.

The paper is essentially divided into two parts:

Part A focuses on core topics relevant to the development of skills in comprehensive assessment and management planning for patients with significant alcohol and other drug problems and co-existing mental health disorders.

Part B consists of three special topics of study:

The two three-day block courses will be held in Christchurch in July and October (dates to be confirmed).

To apply for admission to PSMX 404 please download an application form.

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PSMX 416 "Applied Theory of Addiction and Co-Existing Disorders" - 30 points - 0.25 EFTS

PSMX 416 is a course of postgraduate study which will next run in the second semester of 2010.

Although the use of alcohol and other drugs is a feature of the paper, the content is broader and encompasses a range of addictive behaviours and co-existing disorders. The biological, psychological and socio-cultural aspects of addiction and addictive behaviours will be covered, along with implications for current interventions and future developments in treatment.

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THIS PAPER?

On successful completion of this paper students will:

1. Have a broad overview of addiction and addictive behaviours including historical and phenomenological perspectives
2. Have an understanding of the overlap between addiction and other-co-existing psychiatric disorders, including prevalence, etiological dynamics, and management implications
3. Have a sound grasp of current biological, psychological and social theories of addiction and addictive behaviours
4. Understand the clinical implications of the knowledge base developed on the course for interventions with people suffering from addictive phenomena, including those with co-existing disorders
5. Have completed a comprehensive review or research proposal of a chosen topic in this area

HOW WILL THE PAPER BE RUN IN 2010?

PSMX 416 is run as a combination of an online Blackboard discussion forum, a series of audio conferences and one three-day workshop to be held in Christchurch 4-6 August.

The paper is co-ordinated by Dr Simon Adamson, clinical psychologist.

The teaching is conducted by a number of different teachers and for the most part by staff from the University of Otago, Christchurch.

The course consists of the following main topics: Range of behaviours that constitute addictive behaviours; key elements of addiction; history of these concepts; biological, psychological and social basis of addiction; social influences; synthesis of biological, psychological and social aetiology; implications for intervention; special treatment topics.

To apply for admission to PSMX 416 please download an application form.

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PSMX 422 is a postgraduate paper offered nationally as a companion to PSMX 404. Whereas PSMX 404 is concerned with comprehensive assessment and treatment planning, PSMX 422 is principally concerned with the phases of the clinical process following assessment.

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF THIS PAPER?

The overall aim of the paper is to enhance practice through developing advanced knowledge and therapeutic skills. On successful completion students will be able to co-ordinate clinical case-management plans integrating psycho-social and bio-medical interventions for a range of clients and their significant others and whanau.

By the end of the course the student should be able to demonstrate:

PSMX 422 will involve 60 hours of teaching over the first semester of the academic year. It will consist of a combination of two three-day Christchurch based block courses (17-19 March and 26-28 May), an email discussion group and course work supervision.

PSMX 422 is a postgraduate paper and it is assumed that students will be competent in conducting and writing up a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan and have an overview of diagnostic systems and models of addiction. They will also have good interviewing and engagement skills and be familiar with motivational interviewing and a broad range of treatment modalities.

The paper is co-ordinated by Dr Daryle Deering, a senior nurse. Daryle has extensive knowledge and experience in the alcohol and drug treatment area as a clinician, manager, teacher and researcher.

To apply for admission to PSMX 422 please download an application form.

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Not offered in 2010

"Pharmacotherapy of Addiction and Co-existing Disorders" is a postgraduate paper that was run for the first time in 2001.

Special topic areas for the use of pharmacotherapy are covered as follows:

On successful completion of this course students will be able:

PSMX 424 will address the practical management of a broad range of addicted patients utilising the most up-to-date international literature and a range of people's clinical experience nationally and internationally. It will be taught by way of two, two-day workshops and an email discussion group.

The expected workload will average 10-15 hours per week over the 20 weeks of the course.

This paper will be co-ordinated by Professor Doug Sellman (psychiatrist) and Dr Lee Nixon (Nelson) and Dr James Foulds.

To apply for admission to PSMX 424 please download an application form.

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The paper provides an overview of the theoretical basis of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and an understanding of the basic principles and practices of MI for motivating behaviour change. The focus is on an understanding of MI, with an introduction to the advanced application of the principles of MI.

Course content includes: applied theory - trans-theoretical model of change, social learning theory, cognitive dissonance, neurobiology of motivation in an evolutionary context, efficacy of brief interventions, history and development of MI, principles of MI, efficacy of MI, skill development - MI strategies and techniques.

HOW WILL THE PAPER RUN IN 2010?

This course will be taught in the first semester in Christchurch and comprises two three-day compulsory block courses including seminars, skills teaching and interactive group work, dates as follows:

Workshop 1 - 8-10 March
Workshop 2 - 26-28 April
OSCE - 14-15 June (written exam on afternoon of 15 June)

In 2010 this paper will be convened by Professor Doug Sellman.

To apply for admission to PSMX 430 please download an application form.

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Not offered in 2010

This paper is targeted at health care professionals who work with patients or clients in a broad range of settings. All students will need to be working in a setting in which they are involved with people who present with behaviour change problems. This includes primary and secondary care health care professionals, those working in social services and practitioners working in addiction treatment services. A prerequisite for this paper is a pass grade for PSMX 430.

Motivating Behaviour Change II will provide an understanding of the advanced use of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and a critical understanding of how MI has been developed for use in a wide range of behaviour change contets.

The paper requires the student to demonstrate:

The course includes:

This course is taught in Christchurch and comprises one two-day compulsory workshop focusing on specific applications of motivational interviewing and skill development; and clinical fieldwork in an approved clinical placement.

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1. Admission to these papers is subject to the approval of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Otago University.
   
2. Applicants will:

(iii) present evidence of ability for advanced level academic study.

To be admitted to PSMX 404, PSMX 422 or PSMX 424 students need to be working therapeutically in a clinical setting in which people with alcohol and drug problems are assisted either as a primary focus or as part of treatment for other conditions. For PSMX 416 the requirement for appropriate professional experience in (ii) above may be waived. PSMX 430 requires that all students be working in a setting in which they are involved with people who present with behaviour change problems.

For entry to requirements to Masters and PhD level study please visit the Christchurch School of Medicine & Health Sciences website.

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Teaching Programme: 2010 - 2011
Paper	2010	2011
PSMX 404	Semester 2	Semester 1
PSMX 416	Semester 2	-
PSMX 422	Semester 1	Semester 2
PSMX 424	-	Semester 1
PSMX 430	Semester 1	Semester 1
PSMX 431	-	Semester 2

Teaching Semesters for 2010

First Semester: 1 March - 25 June
Second Semester: 12 July - 12 November

Further information on the National Addiction Centre postgraduate training programme is available to be downloaded.

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Requests for application forms and enquiries should be directed in the first instance to:

Lindsay Atkins
Postgraduate Secretary
National Addiction Centre
University of Otago, Christchurch
PO Box 4345
Christchurch 8140

Phone: 03 364-0480
Fax: 03 364-1225
Email: lindsay.atkins@otago.ac.nz

Further information can also be obtained by contacting:

The John Dobson Memorial Foundation was set up to perpetuate the values, energy and personal qualities brought to bear by the late John Dobson in the care and treatment of people with drug and alcohol and broader mental health problems and to the public advocacy of their plight. The John Dobson Scholarships were established in 1999 and each year up to three $1,000 scholarships are awarded to applicants who, in the opinion of the JDMF executive and following consultation with the nominated referees, present the best applications in furthering the aims of the Foundation.

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