RIPA CE Workshops - Presurgical Psychological Screening

THE WORKSHOP

Why would a medical doctor want a psychologist to assess a patient before surgery? This introductory program will expose psychologists to the rationale and empirical data for presurgical psychological screening for a range of specific surgeries, like spine surgery, bariatric surgery, etc. Like any psychological evaluation, presurgical psychological screening (PPS) requires the psychologist to use interview techniques in order to identify mental health related diagnoses and to develop any necessary interventions. However, because PPS is directed at addressing the specific question of surgical outcome it involves procedures (e.g. reviewing medical records) that are not normally a part of a psychological evaluation. Furthermore, performance of an accurate PPS requires that the psychologist be able to draw on or have specialized knowledge of psychological and medical risk factors for poor surgical outcome. This program will offer psychologists the opportunity to learn the techniques of presurgical psychological screening, which will include a presentation from the surgeon's perspective.

THE SPEAKERS

Frank R. Sparadeo, Ph.D. is currently working in private practice in Providence RI. He has been in practice as a licensed clinical psychologist since 1982. He has worked in the mental health and substance abuse field since 1975. He was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University for 17 years. He is currently on the graduate faculty at Salve Regina University and he is director of the Member Assistance Program for the New England Laborer’s Health and Safety Funding in Providence, RI. Dr. Sparadeo’s practice is focused on health psychology and neuropsychology. Dr. Sparadeo conducts numerous presurgical psychological screening evaluations for patients who are candidates for spine surgery and general surgery. He is currently the director of the behavioral health component of the Interdisciplinary Spine Program at Rhode Island Hospital.

Gerhard Friehs, M.D. is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Neurosciences at Brown University. Dr. Friehs has been a practicing neurosurgeon in Rhode Island since 1995. He is on staff at many local hospitals and in addition to his work in the area of traumatic brain injury and Parkinson’s Disease he also conducts many surgeries for the treatment of chronic pain, including the intrathecal morphine pump and spinal stimulator. Dr. Friehs often refers surgical patients for psychological screening prioir to surgery, relying on the psychological screening as a major component in his decision to offer surgery in elective circumstances.