Medical Error Prevention for Mental Health Professionals : Continuing Education CEUs at Affect Plus

This course is designed specifically for the mental health professional to help reduce the possibility of medical errors in one's practice. Included is pertinent information on types of medical errors, populations at greatest risk, and the process of root cause analysis. The authors share their expertise in preventing diagnostic and treatment errors, assessing risk, record-keeping and reducing adverse reactions to medications. Risk assessment for suicide and violence to others, mandatory reporting of abuse, confidentiality, informed consent, and the need for multi-cultural sensitivity are addressed. Links to valuable resources are provided to augment the information presented. This brief overview provides a practical guide for the mental health practitioner in a variety of settings.

The course includes information and research from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and draws on legal and ethical standards for confidentiality, informed consent, and mandatory reporting.

Lenore E. A. Walker, Ed.D. has been called the 'mother' of the battered woman syndrome as it was her research back in the late 1970's that named the psychological phenomenon. Dr. Walker holds a Diplomate in Clinical and Family Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. She is a Full Professor of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University in the Center for Psychological Studies and currently coordinates the forensic psychology concentration in the doctoral program. Dr. Walker is the principal psychologist at Walker & Associates, LLC, providing assessment for and consultation with attorneys whose clients have been involved in trauma from domestic violence. Director of the Domestic Violence Institute, Walker is a popular speaker who travels around the world at the invitation of governments and groups attempting to make policy changes in dealing with abuse against women and children. She is the author of 13 books.

David Shapiro, Ph.D. is one of the first psychologists to apply psychological assessment tools in the forensic realm and currently maintains a private practice of forensic psychology in Broward County Florida. He is a Professor of Psychology at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, teaching courses in the forensic concentration including forensic assessment, professional ethics, and criminal law. Dr. Shapiro has been extensively involved in the development of standards for psychological practice. He chaired the APA Independent Practice Division 42's involvement in the 2002 revision of the APA Ethics Code. Dr. Shapiro's written contributions to the field of forensic psychology include 4 books and many book chapters and journal articles. He is a frequent consultant and expert witness on regulatory, ethical, and civil cases involving questions of malpractice and standards of care in psychology, and has taught courses on professional risk management and liability for psychologists and other mental health professionals.

Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals

Medical Error Prevention for Mental Health Professionals