Psychology graduate outcomes: evaluating the quality and impact of clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology training in Australia

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate graduates’ experiences in Australian postgraduate training programs and the registrar program in clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology, and to identify which components of training were most useful in preparing graduates for the workforce.

Method: An anonymous online survey was distributed among recent (2013-2018) graduates of clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology training programs.

Results: 170 graduates (95 clinical psychology, 75 neuropsychology; 82% female) responded to the survey. Ninety-six percent of respondents were working in a clinical or academic setting that utilised their postgraduate qualifications, though 4% had not yet obtained work in their specific desired role. Neuropsychology graduates were more likely to report a lack of relevant professional development. Both disciplines wanted increased focus on interventions in their training, including a broad range of psychological therapy approaches. Both disciplines consistently rated the practical elements of their training (clinical work on placement, roleplays, case discussions) the most valuable preparation for their current roles.

Conclusions: Universities should maximise practical training and assessment methods, and provide comprehensive therapy training for clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists in preparation for the types of roles in which they are likely to be employed. Employers may need to ensure that access to supervisors and professional development is provided through the workplace.

Key Points

What is already known about this topic:

1. Clinical psychologists and clinical neuropsychologists tend to report learning best through practical forms of learning and observation.

2. It is unclear whether Australian postgraduate psychology training programs are preparing graduates adequately for the modern workplace.

3. The Psychology Board of Australia registrar program has been in place for over 10 years, and not been systematically evaluated in terms of its impact on recent graduates’ capabilities and confidence in transitioning to the workforce.

What this topic adds:

1. The vast majority of recent graduates of Australian clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology programs are employed in roles that utilise their postgraduate qualifications.

2. While the quality of Australian postgraduate programs was rated highly by recent graduates, they wanted greater focus on a broader range of psychological interventions.

3. Psychology registrars should be provided more support to meet their professional development and clinical supervision needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Clinical neuropsychology
• clinical psychology
• clinical training
• psychology graduates
• registrar programme
• work readiness

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Nastasya Davenport for completing the secondary coding of the qualitative data.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.