Saturday, April 10, 2021, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM EST

Clinicians have numerous tools at their disposal to help adult cancer patients dealing with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other cancer sequelae. Psychiatric medications are most frequently prescribed to cancer patients by oncologists and general practitioners, however psychiatric syndromes are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Few oncology practices have dedicated psychiatric consultants familiar with the nuances of Psycho-Oncology. Even when patients receive psychotropic medications appropriately, they may have problems that arise before their next oncology visit or before they see the person who prescribed their psychiatric medications. Psychologists, nurses and social workers play an essential role in identifying psychological and physical symptoms as well as both beneficial and problematic medication effects as they provide frontline psychosocial interventions and support for cancer patients.

This course is designed for the non-prescribing psycho-oncology clinician as well as the psychiatrist who is new to the world of Psycho-pharmaco-oncology. Oncologists, palliative care clinicians, advanced practice nurses and oncology nurses will find this course useful as well. The course will focus on key target disorders and symptoms amenable to psychopharmacological intervention, including anxiety, depression, delirium, sleep disturbance, pain, fatigue, and weight and appetite loss. This year, the course will also include updates on COVID-19 related delirium and the use of novel interventions including ketamine, medical marijuana and psilocybin for depression, anxiety and pain. Participants will learn to identify psychological reactions to medical conditions or treatments; psychiatric presentations of medical conditions or treatments; medical presentations of psychiatric conditions and common medical complications of psychiatric conditions or treatments.

Basic information will be presented about medications used to alleviate Quality of Life symptoms that arise in the cancer setting from diagnosis to survivorship or end of life care, and the interface of psychotherapy and medication management. We will review why certain medications are used and why some are avoided, looking at potential benefits, unwanted side effects, and drug-drug interactions, since you may be the first person to identify a serious adverse event. The course will also enhance your ability to provide psychoeducation to patients regarding psychiatric medications.

This course is co-sponsored by the MSK Psycho-Oncology Education & Training Institute (POETI).

Who Should Attend

This course is intended for Psychiatrists, Psycho-oncologists, Oncologists, Palliative Care Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Psychologists, Social Workers and Counselors.

1. Participants will learn basic psycho-pharmaco-oncology and how to hone essential clinical and observation skills to improve the quality of life, mental health and safety of their patients by understanding the basics of the psychophysiology of cancer.