Seattle University Collaborative Projects - International Academy of ...

The Rationale for a Sub-Specialty in Forensic PsychiatryPierre Gagne, Faculty of Medicine – University of Sherbrooke (pierre.gagne@usherbrooke.ca)The involvement of psychiatrists in civil and criminal litigation has sharply increased over thelast decade. The need to limit the use of the title of "specialist in forensic psychiatry" to thosewith special knowledge and clinical experience has generated a movement to create teachingcentres and examination of candidates by the Royal college of Physicians of Canada. Importantacademic and ethical issues are related to the creation of this sub-speciality.Trials and Tribulations of Compiling the Questions for the First ForensicPsychiatry Subspeciality Examination in CanadaJohn Bradford, Division of Forensic Psychiatry – University of Ottawa(john_bradford@sympatico.ca)The trials and tribulations of compiling the new subspecialty examination in forensic psychiatryfor the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada have been significant. The RoyalCollege has short answer questions (SAQ) as the format for the examination. The SAQ format isregarded as a valid method of evaluating a higher order of knowledge on a given subject. Theimpression is that SAQ are easier to compile then multiple choice questions (MCQ) but this isnot the case. This presentation will discuss the challenges of the SAQ format as well as thestrengths of this approach.33. Correctional Mental Health in the U.S.A.A Comparison between a Federal (National) Prison System and a StateCorrectional SystemMichael Ahrens, Consulting Psychologist, Marion, USA (d.ahrens3@frontier.com)The presenter has worked nearly 25 years for the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons andover five years for the Illinois State Department of Corrections. He will compare and contrastdifferences between these two, large penal systems. The Federal Prison System is regarded as the“finest correctional system in the world.” It serves as a model for state corrections.Professionalism, correctional programming (rehabilitation), quality health care and soundcorrectional practices are emphasized. The Illinois State Department of Correction is presently ina state of transition, but heretofore is based on a traditional concept of security, restrictive83