Clinical psychology trainees should routinely obtain service user feedback as part of their clinical experience and assessment during training: Why and how?

Abstract

This study aimed to provide evidence based recommendations to the course team at the University of Birmingham on how to formally obtain and incorporate service user feedback (SUF) into trainee Clinical psychologists placement assessment and clinical experience. Focus groups were held separately with four stakeholders. This included the course team, adult mental health services users, supervisors and trainees. Interestingly, trainees, service users and the course team thought SUF for trainees is for the assessment and development of trainees than it also being useful for the service user and therapy. Supervisors thought SUF for trainees is no different to SUF used as part of routine clinical practice and is, additionally, being used in the assessment of trainees. Many of the stakeholder choices and concerns were influenced by their understanding of SUF for trainees. The results were discussed in a working group of representatives from each stakeholder group and recommendations were made.