27th Annual Public Sector Psychiatry Conference

Using Mindfulness for Improving Care of Patients with
Serious Mental Illness and Clinicians’ Self-Care

Wednesday, June 15, 2011
University Campus, Amphitheatre III
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655
(Directions and Parking Info)

Jointly sponsored by
Department of Psychiatry, UMass Chan Medical School
and
Massachusetts Psychiatric Society
Registration Form and Flyer
Registration is now closed.

Target Audience

Public Sector: psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, families, others

Program Description

In the 150 years since John Gray, a former editor of the American Journal of Psychiatry proclaimed "there is no disease of the mind, only disease of the brain", we have learned a great deal about how the mind impacts the functions of the brain, e.g., pathophysiologic effects of stress, consequences of delusions, power of hallucinations, resilience. We have achieved new appreciations of the interactive effects between the dyad: treator and treated.

In this conference, through lectures and experiential learning, we will become familiar with how mindfulness can improve the therapeutic encounter and its consequences—both for the individual receiving and the person providing whatever the services might be.

Objectives: After attending the entire conference, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the current evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for depression, anxiety and wellness.
• Engage in a first-hand introduction to mindfulness meditation practices, its methodology and approach to learning, growth, human development and healing.
• Engage in mindfulness practices used in dialectical behavior therapy, and will acquire the ability to use those practices for themselves and coach others in using them.
• Learn and experience, first-hand, mindfulness skills intended to build psychological resilience

Agenda

Registration Fee: $130. Registrations should not be mailed unless receipt can be guaranteed by June 1, 2011. On-site registration: $150.

Group and Discounted Fee: $75. Employees of the Department of Mental Health are offered a discounted rate of $75. Institutions and organizations that enroll 5 or more persons at the same time are offered a discounted rate of $75.

This tax-deductible fee includes lunch, parking (in visitor parking garage, not valet) and continuing education credit.

Deadline: Pre-registration will be closed when space is full or at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at the latest. Registration should not be mailed unless receipt before that time is guaranteed. On-site registration will not be accepted when space is full—so register early.

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel your registration before May 25, 2011 your fee is refundable less a $25 processing charge. After that date, no refunds will be given for any reason—including weather and other emergencies. Substitutions are always acceptable with prior notification.

Weather Emergency Policy: While the probability of delay or cancellation of the conference is highly unlikely, we recognize that we are all subject to the vagaries of New England weather. If a weather emergency does occur, and you are in doubt as to whether or not the course will be held, call 508-334-0578 before 4 p.m. on June 14, 2011.

Continuing Education Credit:

Physicians: The Massachusetts Psychiatric Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.75 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Massachusetts Medical Society for Continuing Medical Education through the Joint Sponsorship of the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society and the Public Sector Division of the UMass Chan Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry.

The Massachusetts Psychiatric Society is accredited by the Massachusetts Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Psychologists: The UMass Chan Medical School, Department of Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The UMass Chan Medical School, Department of Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program is being offered for 6 continuing education credits (CE) for psychologists.

Nurses: 5.75 contact hours will be awarded by the Department of Nursing at UMass Memorial Medical Center, an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Social Workers: This program has been approved for 6.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR.  Collaborative of NASW and the Boston College and Simmons Schools of Social Work Authorization Number D50945.

In order to receive a certificate, attendees must sign-in and fill out the evaluation form clearly on the day of the conference.

No partial credit will be given.

Comfort: Business casual is very appropriate for this conference. Although every attempt will be made to ensure the comfort of our attendees, we suggest that you may wish to bring a sweater/jacket if you tend to be chilly.

Further Information and Special Needs: Conference site is an accessible, barrier-free location. Individuals with visual and/or hearing impairments, call the UMass Department of Psychiatry 508-334-0578 for assistance.

Policy on Faculty and Provider Disclosure: It is the policy of the UMass Chan Medical School to ensure fair balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all activities. All faculty participating in CME activities sponsored by the UMass Chan Medical School are required to present evidence-based data, identify and reference off-label product use and disclose all relevant financial relationships with those supporting the activity or others whose products or services are discussed. Faculty disclosure will be provided in the activity materials.