The National Addiction Centre provides practically orientated addiction and coexisting disorders education at a postgraduate level. This education has been developed for clinicians working with people who have addiction and coexisting 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 learning 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 coexisting mental health and substance use disorders. It is designed to be a companion paper to PSMX 422 "Treatment of Addiction and Coexisting Disorders". PSMX 404 is coordinated 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 2012?

PSMX 404 will be run in the first semester as a combination of two compulsory three-day block courses, a series of audio-conferences before and after the first block course and online self-directed learning modules.

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 coexisting mental health disorders.

Part B consists of three special topics of study:

The two three-day block courses will be held in Christchurch on the following dates:

15-17 March
14-16 June

Applications for PSMX 404 in 2012 have now closed. To apply for admission in 2013 please download an application form. Please note that applications must be received by early November 2012.

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PSMX 416 "Applied Theory of Addiction & Coexisting Disorders" - 30 points - 0.25 EFTS - S2

PSMX 416 is a course of postgraduate study which will next run in the second semester of 2012.

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 coexisting 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 coexisting 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 coexisting disorders.
5. Have completed a comprehensive review or research proposal of a chosen topic in this area.

HOW WILL THE PAPER BE RUN IN 2012?

PSMX 416 is run as a combination of an online Blackboard discussion forum, a series of audio-conferences and one compulsory three-day workshop to be held in Christchurch 25-27 July 2012.

The paper is coordinated 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.

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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 second semester of the academic year. It will consist of a combination of two compulsory three-day Christchurch based block courses (1-3 August and 24-26 October), 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 coordinated 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 2012

"Pharmacotherapy of Addiction and Coexisting 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 be offered in the first semester and 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 18 weeks of the course.

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

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

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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 addiction and coexisting disorders 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.

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

Please Note: Applications for admission to the second semester teaching programme must be received by early June 2012.

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First Semester: 27 February - 22 June
Second Semester: 9 July - 9 November

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. In 2011 four scholarships up to the value of $1500 will be awarded.

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