Assessing Trainee Clinical Psychologists' Clinical Competence

Abstract

Within UK clinical psychology training, traditionally used methods for assessing the development of trainees' clinical competence have taken the form of evaluations of trainee knowledge regarding their clinical practice, either in the form of written assignments or via discussion in the supervisory relationship. Whilst direct observation of trainees is expected and required by supervisors on practice placements, frequency of observation varies, and supervisors can experience difficulties occupying both supervisory and evaluatory roles. In addition, calls from within the clinical psychology training community have expressed a need for a consistent and formalised in vivo assessment of trainees' clinical competency (Gallichan & Mitchell, 2008). This article reports on a psychometric evaluation of the Clinical Skills Assessment Rating Form (CSA-RF), a seven domain measure of clinical competence developed at the University of Leicester Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology for use with live or videotaped clinical material. Results suggest that the CSA-RF has acceptable levels of internal consistency, although interrater reliability requires further investigation. Factor analysis revealed a five domain structure. From this, a revised CSA-RF has been developed which aims to be a valid and practicable initial means by which trainees' clinical competence can be assessed.