Description of the Training Program

As part of their experience, the fellow will receive training in:

Pre-Surgical Psychological Evaluation/ Pre-procedure Evaluation: The fellow will receive training in pre-surgical psychological evaluations to determine a patient’s appropriateness for surgery/ risk stratification and recommendations to improve outcomes post-operatively. Pre-surgical evaluations also include Transplant (e.g., Kidney, Heart, and Living Donor), Pain management (e.g., evaluations for candidacy for opioids or implantable devices, treatment within integrated pain center) and evaluation for medical procedures/ adherence to medical treatment (e.g., evaluation prior to genetic testing and others).

Evidence-Based Treatment Pre- and Post-Surgically: The fellow will provide treatment to patients both pre- and post-surgically. Concerns commonly addressed include engagement in behavioral changes, treatment of disordered eating behavior, stabilization of psychiatric symptoms, etc.

Evidence-based Treatment for Chronic Health Conditions: The fellow will provide intervention for individuals with complex comorbid psychiatric, psychosocial, and chronic health conditions, as well as health promotion and disease management.

Group Treatment: The fellow will lead and/or co-lead a monthly support group for pre- and postoperative patients. The fellow will also lead a Binge Eating/ Emotional Eating Therapy Group for bariatric patients every other month.

Consultation: The fellow will attend Bariatric Board team meetings and observe surgical procedures. The fellow receives supervision related to: working within a multidisciplinary team, presentation at Bariatric Board team meeting, and teaching skills for various teaching topics throughout the year to be presented at Bariatric Board.

Supervision: Our clinics have a number of trainees including clinical psychology graduate students, practicum students, and interns. The fellow will function as part of a vertical model of supervision and receive supervision of supervision skills.

Research: The fellow has the opportunity to participate in a number of ongoing research projects or design new projects of interest related to bariatric surgery/ obesity medicine or other topics, as interested.

Program Evaluation: The fellow will participate in didactics related to program evaluation and quality improvement. Program evaluation is considered an important skill development on fellowship.