Description
This training addresses the clinical documentation practices for patients receiving treatment under Penal Code Section 1370. Participants will examine the purposes the medical record serves and the audiences who ultimately rely on it, then review general documentation standards including behavioral description, professional tone, internal consistency, and the distinction between conclusory statements and opinions grounded in observable data. The presentation then turns to documentation specific to restoration of competency, covering Grisso’s five objectives, the UARC ability framework, the articulation of a nexus between current symptoms and identified competency deficits, case-specific considerations, conclusions, and treatment plan recommendations. Particular attention is given to the appropriate inclusion and exclusion of data to avoid self-incrimination. Finally, strategies will be provided for documenting refusals and non-participation when working with the uncooperative patient.
Format
Live webinar.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe the purpose of the medical record in a PC 1370 restoration setting and identify the audiences in which that record is later reviewed
- Differentiate behavioral documentation from conclusory statements, and be able to compose chart entries that record observable behavior and the clinical data supporting a stated opinion
- Document discrepancies between patient self-report and clinical observation in a manner that maintains professional tone and internal consistency across the record
- Apply Grisso’s five objectives and the UARC framework to articulate the connections between a patient’s current symptoms and the presence or absence of specific competency-related abilities
- Identify case-specific data for appropriate inclusion or exclusion under Fifth Amendment protection utilizing case law as guidelines
- Apply Scott’s FAIR documentation approach to address refusals and non-participation with the uncooperative patient
Outline
- Purpose of the medical record
- PC 1370 documentation and general documentation tips
- Grisso’s five objectives of competency evaluations
- Competency abilities using the UARC concept
- Data inclusion and exclusion
- Overview of FAIR IST documentation practices
Target Audience
Psychiatrist, Physician (Non-Psychiatric), Psychiatric Technician, Psychologist, Counselor/Therapist, Social Worker, Student (Non-Medical), Peer Specialist
Instructional Level
Introductory, Intermediate
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 90 minutes
Program Release 09/29/2026
Program End Date: 09/29/2026
Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board
After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through the Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.
How to Earn Credit
After completing the evaluation, participants will have the opportunity to claim their hours of participation and download the appropriate certificate. Physicians may obtain an official CME certificate, other healthcare professionals may receive a CE certificate (as applicable), and all other attendees may generate a certificate of participation. Each certificate will reflect the event date and total hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Psychologists
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. APA maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive up to 1.5 Ethics, Social work practice, knowledge, and skills continuing education credits.
***Continuing education requirements vary from state to state. Many state boards grant reciprocity with national accrediting organizations and other state boards. It is the responsibility of each professional to understand the requirements for license renewal or check with the state or national licensing board and/or professional organization to become more familiar with their policies for acceptable continuing education credit. Social workers and Psychologists should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity - including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others - are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Faculty:
- Dr. Johnson earned her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University. She has been conducting competency to stand trial evaluations since 2007, and her experience spans both evaluation and treatment of patients at Metropolitan State Hospital. She helped re-design the forensic assessment and treatment program for patients hospitalized as incompetent to stand trial. In addition to her competency work, Dr. Johnson conducts evaluations in criminal and civil matters, including capacity, undue influence, conservatorship, and mental health diversion. She regularly provides written reports and expert testimony. From 2012-2023, she served as the lead forensic psychologist at the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center. She currently is on a forensic panel that trains psychologists in violence risk assessment.
- Dr. Kerry A. Hannifin is a Senior Psychologist Supervisor in the Forensic Evaluation Department (FED) at Department of State Hospitals - Patton (DSH-P), a role she has held since 2021. As a supervisor, Dr. Hannifin oversees PC 1370 (Incompetent to Stand Trial, IST) and Murphy Conservatorship (MURCON) forensic operations. Dr. Hannifin developed the IST and MURCON forensic procedures at DSH-Patton. She serves on various state and local workgroups tasked with development of IST programs with the Department of State Hospitals. Prior to working as a supervisor, from 2019-2020, Dr. Hannifin was a forensic evaluator in the FED at DSH-P. Dr. Hannifin worked as a staff psychologist, primarily on PC 1370 (IST) treatment units, at DSH-P, from 2008 until 2019. Dr. Hannifin received her doctorate degree from Azusa Pacific University in 2008. Outside of DSH-P, Dr. Hannifin serves in a variety of forensic roles (e.g., evaluator, consultant, and expert witness) in her private practice
Program Planners:
- John Torous, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Torous has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Amy N. Cohen, PhD, American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Cohen has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Sherin Khan, LCSW, Thresholds, Chicago. Ms. Khan has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.
Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
Internet Explorer 11+
This Web site requires JavaScript and session cookies to be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Windows Media Player.
Optimal System Configuration:
Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
Windows PC:
Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video
For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity |
Contact support@smicaladviser.org for technical assistance