Behavioral Science

The biopsychosocial model is the unifying model used to teach the integration of the psychological and social sciences together with the medical sciences at Hunterdon Medical Center. As a result, the behavioral science curriculum is integrated throughout the three years of the overall curriculum. The curriculum focuses on the understanding of people, families and communities, and how they relate to the patient's and physician's experience of health and disease. Specific skills such as bonding with patients, active listening and effective communication are stressed. In addition, support and assistance are given to the residents as they start to deal with complex biopsychosocial issues.

Behavioral science faculty are integrally involved with all facets of residency education. Behavioral science training begins with a two day retreat at the start of the residency program for residents and their significant others so that everyone can think ahead about what each person wants to achieve during the three years at Hunterdon Medical center. The behavioral science faculty round with the family medicine inpatient service weekly to discuss biopsychosocial issues. Each week, one hour is set aside specifically for the residents either as a Balint-style group led by a trained facilitator or as a free period for residents to spend with their friends and family.

Each week during the three years of the residency program, a one hour session is set aside at the family health centers for residents to work with the behavioral scientists and the physician faculty looking at the integration of behavioral sciences with traditional medicine.

A Family Life Cycle course, tutorials, videotape reviews and simulated patient scenarios are used to help the residents satisfy their needs in the area of behavioral sciences.

Each Tuesday afternoon a skill development seminar for third year residents takes place and is taught by family physicians and behavioral science faculty. Topics include the doctor-patient relationship, counseling skills, working with family systems and human sexuality. Also, seminars on alcoholism and substance abuse, advanced psychiatry and other related behavioral science topics are integrated into the weekly series.

Elective opportunities in behavioral science are also available. Residents who are interested in developing advanced clinical skills in psychotherapy and counseling can enter into co-counseling relationships with behavioral science faculty. Third year electives in counseling and psychotherapy at nearby agencies in Philadelphia and New York City are available.