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Centerviews
A
Publication of The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric
Center
Monday, June 7,
2004
In This Issue:
Sunrise
Upgrade A Success
MIS Director Richard Montanye sends a special “job well
done” to the MISD team for making the Sunrise upgrade
and client rollout a great success. “It’s not
easy coming in at 3 in the morning. The MIS staff are to be
commended for their professionalism and hard work,”
said Montanye.
Kudos
A recent visitor commended the reception
and lobby staff for their “professional
attitude”. The visitor was here to pick up a patient
and commented on the efficiency of the staff and the UTHCPC
discharge process.
Special thanks
from the parents of a patient go out to Dr. Krajewski,
Bob Dybala, Betty Thomas,
Nolan Lloyd and George Irving
for treating their son with respect and for the good care
he received at UTHCPC.
Scrap Day
A Success
Recreation Therapy’s ‘scrap day’ was a success.
The project was initiated by Shaar Garner,
who organized a day for staff to bring in arts and crafts-type
supplies that could be used in patient groups. A special thanks
goes to Volunteer Coordinator Carol Rone
and to all of those who participated. And, don’t forget:
it’s never too late to recycle your ‘scraps’.
You can donate materials to recreation therapy year round.
Call ext. 5990 or 5991.
CEU’s
Offered: Schizophrenia and Bipolar Mania
An in-service will be offered on “Redefining the treatment
of Agitation associated with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Mania”
on Tuesday, June 8, from 12:30 – 1:30, in the auditorium.
CEU’s
Offered: Bio Terrorism Texas Project
An in-service will be offered on Friday, June 11, on “Bio
Terrorism Texas BCE Project”. To accommodate all staff,
the in-service will be offered in the auditorium at the following
times:
8:30a-9: 30am
10:00a-11:00a
1:30p-2: 30pm
2:45p-4: 45pm
Reduce
Cancer Risk; Depression Higher In Those With Prostate Cancer
Thanks to Dr. Moore for passing along the
recent HealthLeaders Fact File on Cancer. The flyer
points out that lifestyle choices can reduce cancer risk.
The American Cancer Society recommends eating healthful foods,
including five or more servings of fruit and vegetables each
day; choosing whole grains in preference to refined grains
and sugars and reducing our red meat consumption as ways to
improve our health.
Cancer’s
toll, in terms of human life and cost, continue to rise. According
to Medstar, each cancer patient can cost the healthcare system
more than $7,000 per month, with more than half of that going
to inpatient costs. More than 50 percent of total dollars
spent on cancer treatment go towards brain, lung, ovarian
and pancreatic cancer.
The report also
showed that depression is more prevalent among prostate cancer
patients than in the general population, which suggests that
depression screening and treatment may lead to reduced healthcare
costs and enhance the patients’ quality of life. Annual
expenditures for prostate cancer patients with diagnosed depression
were over 40% higher than expenditures for prostate cancer
patients without depression.
Music Therapy:
What Is It?
Thanks to Carina Ayers, MT-BC and Chris
Webb, MT-BC for telling us about music therapy and
its importance in the healing process.
Music Therapy is a prescribed service, performed by Board
Certified Music Therapists, that functions to assist patients
in the development of insight into their issues, as well as
to develop healthy coping strategies. Criteria for referral
to Music Therapy include: 1) having an interest in treatment,
2) having a goal/problem that needs addressing 3) ability
to tolerate a group setting.
No background or talent in music is necessary for success
in Music Therapy groups.
Many are surprised
to learn that the subject of Music Therapy is not music. Unlike
a music class, where the focus is on learning how to read,
write or play music, Music Therapy focuses on the needs
of the patient. Whatever they may be struggling with
in regard to their treatment needs, the Music Therapist works
to assist the patient in discovering healthy solutions
and encourages life long focus on wellness.
Music Therapists
pull from many resources to create a variety of sessions that
reach the patient on as many levels as possible. Art, drama,
movement, creative play, story writing, and song writing are
just a few of the methods used in conjunction with music to
help the patient discover healthy methods of expression, relaxation,
improvements in their ability to concentrate/focus, impulse
control, and alternatives to substance abuse and/or other
negative coping skills.
Psychiatry is not
the only area in which Music Therapists work. They can be
found in hospice, oncology, pre/post surgery, forensics, geriatrics,
private practice, special education, and school systems. Music
Therapists operate on a Bachelor’s level with training
in psychology, special education, death & dying, anatomy
and physiology, instrumental techniques, observation and measurement,
psychology of music, music theory and musicianship. They must
be able to play any instrument well enough to teach, and pass
4 exams in the following areas: voice, principle instrument,
piano and guitar. Involvement in ensembles, participation
in 4 or more practicum opportunities, and completion of a
6-month internship, provide hands-on experience in the Music
Therapists' training. Continuing education is required, and
essential, in order to keep up with the latest music, instrumental
skills, and therapeutic techniques and maintain Board Certification
status.
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Overview