Barriers to Provision of External Clinical Psychology Student Placements

Bibliographic Data

ID11510707
AuthorsAlice Shires (0000-0001-8153-1126, University of Technology Sydney, corresponding author), Lil Vrklevski (Sydney and South Western Sydney Local Health District), Judy Hyde (The University of Sydney), Vida Bliokas (0000-0002-3573-6443, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District), Akeesha Simmons (0000-0002-2494-3332, University of Technology Sydney)
Year2016
Volume52
Issue2
Pages140-148
Publication date2016-11-10
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAustralian Psychologist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0005-0067 • E-ISSN: 1742-9544
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/ap.12254
OpenAlexW2553767922
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited12

ObjectiveWith increasing focus on the treatment of mental health problems the need for clinical psychologists is expanding, driving strong demand for postgraduate clinical psychology training programs. Although the number of training places in Australia has increased, the availability of external placements appears to have lagged behind, causing significant challenges to students. Using a survey of clinical psychologists in New South Wales, Australia, this study evaluated the capacity for placements and explored issues that may impact on field placement capacity.MethodA survey was developed in order to identify potential student placement capacity and factors that may prevent potential supervisors from offering placements to students. The survey was distributed electronically through clinical psychology networks targeting those employed in NSW.ResultsOne hundred and forty endorsed clinical psychologists completed the survey. Of these, 42% stated they felt unable to offer field placements to students within the next 12 months. The most commonly cited barriers to offering a placement included a lack of time (21%); not being a PsyBA supervisor (18%); being employed part‐time (18%) and the concern that clinical supervision time did not attract funding under the current public health funding model (16%).ConclusionThe study provides an estimate of clinical field placement capacity in NSW. The results suggest that the capacity in the existing clinical psychology workforce could meet clinical field placement demand. The authors discuss reasons why anecdotally, this does not appear to reflect the reality of field placement coordinators and students. The authors provide possible strategies for addressing the issues raised

Medical education · Mental health · Political science · Psychiatry · Supervisor · Workforce · Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology · Counseling Practices and Supervision · Medicine · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications

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