Aeromedical psychology is that branch of psychology pertaining to the assessment, selection and evaluation of aviation personnel. This book, Aeromedical Psychology, is designed to provide the means for a variety of clinicians to carry out sound assessment and selection procedures, perform informed evaluations and make subsequent recommendations regarding flight status and treatment strategies geared to the aviation environment. To facilitate a dynamic understanding of the field, the book emphasizes an integration of applications and theory, case examples and research. The book is divided into three parts. The first presents assessment and selection procedures for aviation personnel (i.e. air traffic controllers, flight officers and pilots) and astronauts and the many ways in which both psychologists and psychiatrists are involved in these roles. In the second part, the waiver standards put forth by both the FAA and the various branches of the military are presented, as well as the waiver decision process. Clinical issues unique to aviation - notably fear of flying, motivation to fly and airsickness - are addressed, as well as possible courses of intervention, treatment and disposition. In the final part, more specialized issues pertaining to aeromedical psychology are dealt with, namely the psychopharmacological research and regulations applicable to recreational pilots and aviation personnel, managing the aftermath of aviation mishaps and the psychologist's role in accident investigations.
Biography
Carrie H. Kennedy, PhD, ABPP, is a neuropsychologist with specialization in military psychology and aviation psychology. She is an active duty Commander in the US Navy, a designated Aerospace Experimental Psychologist and has deployed to Cuba and Afghanistan. Dr Kennedy is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia. She serves on the editorial boards of Military Psychology and Psychological Services. She has co-authored/edited 5 books, including Military Psychology: Clinical and Operational Applications, now in its second edition, Wheels Down: Adjusting to Life After Deployment, Ethical Practice in Operational Psychology and Military Neuropsychology. Gary G. Kay, PhD, is the President and co-founder of Cognitive Research Corporation. He is the developer and publisher of CogScreen, a computer-administered cognitive test used in pilot selection, fitness-for-duty testing and pharmaceutical research. He serves as neuropsychology consultant to the Federal Aviation Administration. Dr Kay is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology. Dr Kay completed his PhD at the University of Memphis. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and a member of the Aerospace Medical Association, the International Neuropsychological Society and the American Psychological Association.
’By compiling such an impressive group of internationally recognized authors, Doctors Kennedy and Kay have produced a much-needed volume that comprehensively covers both clinical and non-clinical aspects of Aeromedical Psychology. This text is destined to become the standard reference for aeromedical specialists regardless of their professional backgrounds. The chapters on selection, assessment, substance abuse, motivation to fly, airsickness, fatigue and aging were particularly noteworthy.’ Jeffrey L. Moore, Navy Medicine Operational Training Center, USA ’Aeromedical Psychology sets out to present a guide to this field and to the growing role of aeromedical psychologists and in my opinion achieves its goal very well. This book, one of a kind, is well written, reads easily and will be very useful not only to psychologists and flight surgeons, but to any member of the aviation industry interested in human factors, crew support and flight safety.’ Claude Thibeault MD, Past President, Aerospace Medical Association and Past President, International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine, Canada ’This is the first book that I am aware of that was written to explain the specifics of the specialty of Aviation Psychology. I found it to be very accurate in how the specialty functions in civil aviation and feel it is a "must have" for any clinical psychologist who may be asked to see a flight crew member.’ Warren S. Silberman, Aviation Certification Services, LLC, USA ’definitive...highly recommended as a good collection of the topics that comprise aeromedical psychology. It promises to help form a long-needed curriculum.’ Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, vol. 85, no. 4 ’Much of the well-written and easy to read content, would help the world aviation psychology family come together and form much needed common ground in standardisation and regulation. I therefore commend this book to be read by all those concerned and interested in harm
