Interactive, Educational, and Fun? Yes, Learning Labs are Back!

Abstract

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Annual MeetingFull AccessInteractive, Educational, and Fun? Yes, Learning Labs are Back!Nick ZagorskiNick ZagorskiSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:26 Feb 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.03.3.31AbstractAttendees can learn about such topics as entering a career in academic medicine and mastering social media, as well as improving their use of telepsychiatry in a post-pandemic world.Love it or loathe it, social media is becoming a massive platform for spreading news and information about mental health. Several sessions at this year’s Annual Meeting will discuss the role of social media in psychiatric practice, including a special presentation that will be a part of APA’s Learning Labs. Social Media–Related Sessions“#American Idols—the Role of Influencers in Shaping the Public’s Understanding and Utilization of Mental Health Care.” Chair: Anna Russell, D.O.“Alternatives to Facts: Mental Health Impact of Social Media, Phone Applications, and Technology.” Chair: Pratik Bahekar, M.B.B.S.“The Future of Mental Health Is Social Media.” Chair: Simone Ariel Bernstein, M.D.“Technologies to Advance Access to Mental Health: Social Media, Texting, and 988.” Chair: John Luo, M.D.“#American Idols—the Role of Influencers in Shaping the Public’s Understanding and Utilization of Mental Health Care.” Chair: Anna Russell, D.O.“Social Media and Psychiatry: Effects of Social Media on Users, Research, Advocacy, Networking, and Intervention Opportunities.” Chair: Mariana Pinto Da Costa, M.D.“Social Media for Seniors: Pros, Cons, and Scams.” Chair: Maria D. Llorente, M.D.“Virtually Represented: The Impact of Social Media Usage on Trainee Wellness.” Chair: Carisa Maureen Kymissis, M.D.“Mission-Based Media Collaborative Work Concerning ‘Controversial’ Topics in Psychiatry.” Chair: Jessica Gold, M.D.“Using Social Media to Educate, Advocate, and Empower.” Chair: Jake Goodman, M.D., M.B.A.Yes, APA’s popular educational workshops are making a grand return at the San Francisco meeting. The eight interactive sessions slated for this year include the panel session titled “Using Social Media to Educate, Advocate, and Empower,” which will be chaired by Jake Goodman, M.D. Goodman, a psychiatry resident at the University of Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital, became a social media sensation during the COVID-19 pandemic with a series of photos and videos advocating for mental health awareness and detailing his own challenges with depression to his more than 2 million followers. “Social media can appear overwhelming and intimidating. And that’s OK. We never had a lecture in medical school about how to create a video or write a tweet to educate the public about a new medical advancement,” Goodman said. But with a little help from the panelists, participants can learn how to write engaging content and build an online brand. All they need to do is bring a phone and an open mind.Other Learning Labs slated for this year include the following:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation [TMS]: Future Innovations and Clinical Applications for Psychiatric Practice: This panel session will highlight the many high-tech advances in TMS since the first magnetic device was cleared in 2008, as well as low-tech strategies any clinician can use to optimize TMS therapy.Launching and Navigating a Successful Career in Academic Medicine: Any young physician interested in academia has a chance to learn from one of the best: Laura A. Roberts, M.D., M.A., the Katharine Dexter McCormick and Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor and chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine.Crises Simulation Lab: In this returning event, participants will learn some of the basics of how to respond effectively in a crisis—natural or manmade—and get a chance to play one of many responder roles in a simulation of a crisis event.Learning Neuroscience Through Interactive Activities: Who said learning can’t be fun? Attendees at this workshop will get to experience the “Brain-ival” as they form teams and tackle puzzles, trivia, and more. Along the way, they will also learn important elements of neuroscience, the foundation of psychiatric knowledge.LAI Workshop: Long-acting injectable antipsychotics are a highly effective yet highly underused option for treating patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Donna Rolin, Ph.D., A.P.R.N., director of the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, will offer important details on how to prepare and administer these injections.How to Set Up a Tele-Practice: While many psychiatrists are using telehealth services today, undoubtedly many still have questions on technical and regulatory guidelines. This interactive session will review the important considerations related to establishing and/or maintaining a fully virtual or hybrid practice. Topics include equipment selection, licensure requirements, maintaining privacy, and more.Hearing Voices: In this moving workshop, attendees will get an idea of what it’s like to experience auditory hallucinations. It is hoped that participants will gain empathy and reassess their thoughts on positive symptoms as they attempt to carry out routine clinical activities while experiencing distracting audio stimuli designed by people with lived experience. ■ ISSUES NewArchived