The impact of clinical training changes on self-rated competency and confidence in neuropsychology: A survey of UEA-trained clinical psychologists in East Anglia

Abstract

A Competency Framework, produced by the British Psychological Society Division of Neuropsychology, specifies the underpinning neuropsychological knowledge and skills required for different levels of practice. In 2016, the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology at the University of East Anglia (UEA) introduced changes to align its neuropsychology teaching to the Competency Framework. This report illustrates a pilot evaluation of the impact of such changes on the self-rated neuropsychological competency and confidence of UEA-trained clinical psychologists in East Anglia using a bespoke online survey. Based on 76 respondents, the results highlighted, promising effects of the changes, with post–2016 participants showing higher levels of self-rated competency and confidence in neuropsychology than pre-2016 participants. However, the discrepancy in sample size between pre- and post–2016 groups and a number of other caveats and limitations should be considered. Additional iterations of the survey, involving future cohorts following qualification, are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.