Behavioral Medicine Concentration

The University of Lynchburg Doctor of Medical Science behavioral medicine concentration is specifically tailored for PAs engaged in behavioral medicine as well as those operating in other medical fields. This comprehensive program entails 37 credit hours, inclusive of crucial courses such as evidence-based medicine and the doctoral project, allowing full-time students to complete the degree within four terms or 12 months.

Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on key areas related to mental health disorders. It delves into understanding the contributing factors to these disorders and explores the future trajectory of behavioral medicine. As part of this program, students will hone critical thinking and clinical skills.

Designed to accommodate both those already immersed in the psychiatry field and those venturing from other medical domains, the track offers personalized levels of study. By doing so, it aims to challenge and enrich the knowledge of graduate students.

Graduates from this track are equipped to pursue the Psychiatry Certificate of Added Qualifications which prepares graduates for roles in behavioral medicine at both executive and clinical levels and assume leadership positions in the field. The program is structured to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of behavioral medicine, fostering the development of skills and knowledge necessary for success in a dynamic and evolving healthcare landscape.

“I am excited to be able to participate in the initiation of two new concentrations within the DMSc program at the University of Lynchburg. The Behavioral Medicine and Addiction Medicine concentrations are being implemented to help address the shortage of health care providers within those specialties. Mental health related services have been identified as one of the areas of greatest need currently and over the next decade. Our concentrations will prepare graduates who are working in psychiatry or addiction medicine and those who are not currently working in those areas to increase their knowledge of mental health and addiction disorders.”
— James R. Kilgore, DMSc, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

Apply advanced and specialized knowledge in Behavioral Medicine beyond general practice by focusing on the following competencies:
1. Medical knowledge
2. Patient care
3. Interpersonal and communication skills
4. Systems-based practice
5. Practice-based learning and improvement
6. Professionalism and leadership in the addiction medicine field
Design, develop, and execute clinical care that improves outcomes for patients seeking behavioral health care
Develop professional medical writing skills to advance the PA profession.

Behavioral Medicine Plan of Study

October and April Enrollment

First 12-week academic term (10 credits):

PA 960 Evidence-based Medicine (3 credits)

This course will cover key principles of scientific research and performance improvement in PA practice. Research design, ethics, and critical appraisal of medical publications will be reviewed. This course will emphasize the application of principles of evidence-based research to achieve patient-centered clinical outcomes. Students will develop a proposal for their project.

PA 956 Adult Behavioral Medicine I (3 credits)

The student will define the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition: text revision DSM-5-TR criteria for mental health disorders and behavioral addictions. The student will analyze the neurobiology, neurochemistry, and neuroplasticity of mental health disorders, associated biopsychosocial factors, differential diagnoses, psychological and physical comorbidities, how to prioritize the stability of those comorbidities, and medical conditions and medications that exacerbate mental health disorders. Topics will expand clinically to the validated screening tools, the psychiatric assessment and physical exam including in the emergency department, and new avenues in research in behavioral medicine. Neuromodulation, neuroimaging, and treatment with ketamine will be explored. Finally, the student will study advanced pharmacologic evaluation and management of mental health and substance use disorders treatments, the mechanisms of action, essential prescribing information, and nonpharmacologic interventions.

PA 971 Practicum I (4 credits)

This course will provide intensive clinical exposure in a chosen clinical specialty to further the student’s clinical practice. Students will apply advanced and specialized medical knowledge beyond general practice. Students will begin training within clinical competencies.

Second 12-week academic term (10 credits):

PA 951 Overview of Addiction (3 credits)

The student will define the American Society of Addiction Medicine and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition: text revision DSM-5-TR criteria for substance use disorders and common co-occurring mental health disorders. The student will explore the etiology, neurobiology, neurochemistry, pathophysiology, transgenerational susceptibility and inheritance of addiction, and environmental factors that contribute to addiction. Also examined will be neuroplasticity, brain circuitry, neuroimaging, genomics, epigenetics, and the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in addiction. Individual substance use topics will be investigated, including comorbid interactions and synergistic effects of multiple drug use. Topics will expand clinically to the physical exam focused on tolerance, dependence, and addiction, drug use findings, the acute and long-term effects and comorbidities of chemical and behavioral abuse, and SUD interventions in the emergency department.

PA 966 Doctoral Project (3 credits)

Students will advance and execute the doctoral project proposal suitable for publication and/or presentation in medical journals or conferences. Students will synthesize findings, draw conclusions, and receive an evaluation of their final project. Students will be encouraged to submit for publication and/or present their work at conferences.

PA 972 PA Practicum II (4 credits)

This course is the second session of the PA practicum. This course will continue to provide intensive clinical exposure in a chosen clinical specialty to further the student’s clinical practice. Students will apply advanced and specialized medical knowledge beyond general practice by training within clinical competencies.

Third 12-week academic term (10 credits):

PA 957 Adult Behavioral Medicine II (3 credits)

The student will continue to define the DSM-5-TR criteria for mental health disorders. The student will analyze the neurobiology, neurochemistry, and neuroplasticity of mental health disorders, associated biopsychosocial and genetic factors, differential diagnoses, psychological and medical comorbidities, how to prioritize the stability of those comorbidities, and medical conditions that exacerbate mental health disorders. The student will study advanced pharmacologic evaluation and management in pregnancy and lactation, additional mental health disorders, the mechanisms of action, essential prescribing information, and nonpharmacologic interventions. In addition, the student will train in general psychiatric management of borderline personality disorder, investigate generational susceptibility and inheritance of trauma and mental health disorders, and examine the neurobiology of fear. Additional topics will include functional and integrative medicine, psychedelics, cannabinoids in mental health treatment, and emerging research in psychogenomics, proteomics, and chemical neuromodulators.

PA 958 Behavioral Medicine Across the Lifespan (3 credits)

The student will define further DSM-5-TR criteria for various mental health disorders throughout the lifespan. The multifaceted societal aspects of mental illness from the prenatal and postpartum periods, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood are explored in a patient-centered clinical practice. Additional topics will be analyzed, including the role of social media in mental health, suicide/suicide prevention, grief, and non-pharmacologic therapies.

PA 973 PA Practicum III (4 credits)

This course is the third session of the PA practicum. This course will continue to provide intensive clinical exposure in a chosen clinical specialty to further the student’s clinical practice. Students will apply advanced and specialized medical knowledge beyond general practice.

Fourth 12-week academic term (7 credits)

PA 954 Special Topics in Behavioral Medicine (3 Credits)

The student will discover the multifaceted, societal ramifications of addiction and mental health disorders. Topics include overview of neuroanatomy and neurobiology, adverse childhood experiences, the neurobiology and neurochemistry of trauma, trauma models, individual and group trauma therapies, LGBQTIA+, culture and diversity in vulnerable populations, intimate partner violence, homicide, and guns, the criminal justice system, forensic psychiatry, technology in treatment, SUD in the workplace, maladaptive coping, and provider burnout. In addition, the student will investigate legal issues and regulations involved in mental health and substance use treatment. Stigma, bias, and ethical principles, including bioethics, will be addressed in delivering diversity and inclusion in treatment services. The student will be trained in Motivational Interviewing techniques.

PA 974 PA Practicum IV (4 credits)

This course is the fourth session of the PA practicum. This course will continue to provide intensive clinical exposure in a chosen clinical specialty to further the student’s clinical practice. Students will apply advanced and specialized medical knowledge beyond general practice. At the end of this course, students will have completed 100% of clinical competencies.