Neuroplasticity and Clinical Practice (1 CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This course is for:  Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, and Nurses

Course By: Tracey Thomas, PsyD

Content By: Shaffer, J. (2016). Neuroplasticity and clinical practices: Building brain power for health. Frontiers in Psychology, 7 (1118), 1-12. 

Course Description: Neuroplasticity is the ability of brain cells to change in response to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Neurogenesis is the process of generating new brain cells. Neurogenesis occurs at a slower rate, although the human brain produces 700 new brain cells daily in the hippocampus.  The researchers reviewed evidence-based practices to identify ways of increasing brain health across all ages. Five interventions evidenced promise relative to the reversal of age-related brain decline, and the increase of brain health. Practitioners were further encouraged to motivate patients towards healthy lifestyle adherence for mediating the cognitive effects of aging and improving overall brain health.

Learning Objectives:

1. Distinguish between neuroplasticity and neurogenesis regarding brain health
2. Examine the recommendations for maintaining and increasing brain health
3. Evaluate the recommended treatment goals from a clinical perspective

Course Outline:

1. Read and understand the article, Neuroplasticity and clinical practices: Building brain power for health
2. Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
3. Work through the post-test questions; the answers to the questions should be derived from the respective article
4. Review the article for further clarification, if needed

REQUIRED CONTENT CA BRN

Implicit biases incorporate an association that occurs outside of conscious awareness that may resultantly lead to a negative patient evaluation derived from irrelevant characteristics (e.g., gender, race, etc.). A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Thirty-five studies identified the existence of implicit bias in healthcare professionals; all correlational studies evidenced a significant positive relationship between implicit bias levels and lower quality of care. Future research studies should examine the role of implicit bias in disparities in healthcare. Additional research across healthcare settings, combined with greater method homogeneity relative to methods that are implemented to test implicit biases in healthcare, is further suggested (FitzGerald & Hurst, 2017).

Approvals: