In with the outputs and out with the inputs: A need for better tracking and research on professional psychology practicum hours

ABSTRACT

Objective

Accreditation guidelines for professional psychology training have shifted from specifying educational inputs to emphasising attainment of core competency outputs. However, attention to both inputs and outputs are needed. Clinical practicum logs represent a neglected source of information to help guide training program development. The present article describes the development and preliminary data from a purpose‐built electronic web‐based log application for recording practicum activities.

Method

Participants were 76 university clinical psychology trainees who had completed at least 1,000-hr of practicum. Trainees recorded the time engaged in various practicum activities into the electronic log application.

Results

Trainees recorded practicum hours across 74 different placements. Most (43%) of the 72,494 entries were for activities supporting direct client work such as preparation and case notes. Direct client contact (37%) and supervision (20%) were next most frequent. On average, each trainee saw 78 clients for individual work and the average number of contacts was 3.69. The most frequent primary problems treated were anxiety disorders (28%) and depressive disorders (16%). Treatment of substance use disorders was rare (2%) as was work with older adults (2.6%), despite high needs in communities.

Conclusions

This descriptive study provides an example of an electronic log application and preliminary data from the application. The need to link such data to competency assessments is highlighted, as this will provide stronger evidence‐based decision making regarding minimum training standards. Further, by allowing real‐time monitoring of student progress, such applications can inform decisions about individual trainee's practicum progress and needs.

Key Points

(1) Supervised practice is a core feature of professional psychology training. Clinical practicum logs represent a neglected source of information to help guide training program development.

(2) The present article describes the development and preliminary data from a purpose‐built electronic web‐based log application for recording practicum activities. Participants were 76 university clinical psychology trainees who had completed at least 1,000-hr of practicum.

(3) This article highlights the need to link clinical practicum data to competency assessments, in order to provide stronger evidence‐based decision making regarding minimum training standards.

KEYWORDS:

• Clinical log
• competency based models
• practicum
• psychology training

Conflict of interest

None.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on reasonable request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.