Updated September 23, 2024
While most trainees do not go on to work with the blind, feedback is consistent that the skills learned are generalizable to complex medical populations and benefit those seeking assessment/conceptualization skills within this population. Psychology Training Provided: Interns obtain experience in reviewing medical records and observing and evaluating Veterans participating in the blind rehabilitation training program. As part of the assessment, interns will assess the psychological functioning of each patient as well as their adjustment to vision loss/blindness and coping mechanisms, including social support. In addition, during the initial assessment, interns will conduct cognitive screening exams. Training will include use of modified or alternative assessment tools appropriate to visually impaired and blind persons. Following the initial assessment, interns will be expected to produce a written report that will be shared with interdisciplinary team members working with the Veteran in a timely fashion and written in a manner that is suitable for a rehabilitation setting. Furthermore, interns will have the opportunity to assist Veterans to identify or develop coping strategies and deliver brief, evidence-based interventions focused on promoting rehabilitative gains and self- efficacy. Similarly, interns will have the opportunity to deliver group and family education programming as well as didactics to interdisciplinary team members. Interns also gain considerable experience working with interdisciplinary medical teams utilizing the consultation- liaison framework as well as develop a specialty knowledge base with regard to blindness, rehabilitation psychology, health psychology, and geropsychology. Depending on the interest of intern, there is opportunity to gain experience with neuropsychological testing. The knowledge and skills learned on this rotation are not unique to blind rehabilitation and can be generalized to other medical and rehabilitative populations. As such, this rotation can be particularly valuable in helping increase marketability for individuals hoping to work in a medical or rehabilitation setting.
EBP opportunities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Motivational Interviewing
Assessment opportunities: Neurocognitive screening (MoCA for the Blind, Oral TMT A&B) and more comprehensive neuropsychology evaluations
Cultural Competence Training: Trainees will be provided with the opportunity to learn about disability through a disability affirmative framework and how to adapt evidence-based treatment approaches in the context of this cultural lens. Trainees will become familiar with special considerations in working with Veterans with vision loss/blindness and learn how to advocate from inclusivity and promote disability affirmative competence in VA/medical setting. Majority of our Veterans also present with chronic health conditions, often in the context of aging, that present with unique opportunities to understand the way these factors, in addition to other salient identity variables (race, religion, sexual/gender identity, education, SES, cognitive status) may intersect.
Note: This rotation requires trainees to be on-site and meet with Veterans at bedside. No teleworking/telehealth options available.
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