Gatekeeping in the Practicum

Abstract

Gatekeeping is a process in professional education designed to ensure that those who graduate are capable of interacting with clients, colleagues, and the community in an ethical and competent manner. Field instructors and clinical supervisors, as partners in the educational process, carry gatekeeping responsibilities as well as teaching and mentoring and yet receive little training for this critical function. The framework presented in this paper offers field instructors and supervisors a systematic way of preparing for gatekeeping. It also provides guidance to professional programs for developing training. The framework addresses macro, mezzo and micro level gatekeeping knowledge and skills related to the practicum.

Key Words:

• Gatekeeping
• field instruction
• practicum evaluation
• clinical supervision