Associate Professor Rebecca Laptook, Ph.D., has received a Fall 2023 Outstanding Clinical Teaching Award from the Lifespan Physician Group. The honor notes her creation of a didactic series on multidisciplinary treatment of the med-psych population.
"I am truly appreciative to be recognized for my dedication to teaching and for being selected for this award," says Laptook, a psychologist in the Hasbro Partial Hospital Program. "I have always been passionate about teaching and value opportunities to develop educational experiences for both trainees and colleagues."
Laptook began her didactic series in 2014 to provide accessible learning opportunities to staff of the Hasbro Partial Hospital Program, as well as to interested colleagues and trainees on rotation there. The series teaches strategies for integrating evidence-based practices, working effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and applying these skills in various complex clinical situations.
The series emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches to a wide range of topics, for example:
- family-based treatment for eating disorders
- managing non-suicidal self-injurious behavior
- self-care for providers
- pain rehabilitation
- vicarious trauma
- functional neurological disorders
- unconscious biases
- behavioral reinforcement
Laptook makes a point of inviting speakers from across disciplines and departments. Previous speakers have specialized in pediatrics, psychology, social work, psychiatry, nursing, child protection, and consult-liaison psychiatry.
She also varies teaching strategies to include active case discussions, role plays, interactive exercises, and more.
"I know that I learn best when presentations and information are relatable, creative, hands-on, and interactive, and I strive to incorporate this into my teaching," she says.