Educators’ Perceptions of Clinical Judgment Skill Competencies in Rehabilitation Counseling

Abstract

Purpose:To address a significant gap in the clinical judgment competency research by adding new knowledge of important clinical judgment skill competencies in rehabilitation counseling.Method:This Internet-based survey design is a follow-up inquiry to Austin and Leahy’s (2015) instrument validation study; this same sample of rehabilitation counselor educators (n= 126) rated the importance and student preparedness in using clinical judgment skill competencies (i.e., scientific attitude, cultural bias, cognitive complexity, memory bias, confirmatory bias, negative bias, evidence-based practice [EBP]).Results:Clinical judgment skills were perceived to be highly important. Students were rated as least prepared in scientific attitude and evidence-based practice. Ten skills of high importance/limited student preparation across four clinical judgment skill areas were identified.Conclusions:This study’s findings provide initial empirical support of important clinical judgment skill competencies for effective rehabilitation counseling practice. Identified student preparation gaps may be used to help prioritize potential clinical training needs for rehabilitation counseling programs to prepare students in the use of clinical judgment skill competencies that address cultural bias, cognitive complexity, confirmatory bias, and evidence-based practice. Most importantly, data generated from this study can be used when preparing students to effectively address their biases and improve their clinical judgments when applying EBP.