Scientist Practitioner Model Flashcards
What is meant by the Scientist practitioner model of training?
Is an integrative approach to science and practice wherein each must continually inform the other.
This model represents more than a summation of both parts
SP psychologists embody a research orientation in their practice and a practice relevance in their research
integration of theory and practice, of academic and applied work, by persons representing both aspects
one course of training provided by one faculty
The scientist-practitioner model maintains that psychologists are researchers and practitioners and that their preparation be a combination of applied and theoretical knowledge in three major areas: diagnosis, treatment and research
The scientist-practitioner model provides the student with broad experience and knowledge in the science of psychology as well as in related fields that form the foundations of psychology.
Train psychologists to:
be capable of applying psychological knowledge to their work with patients
Move the field forward
Generate fresh knowledge: new empirical findings, new theories, new treatment programs
Explain why the scientist-practitioner model was adopted by psychology generally and in Australia?
Psychology as an academic discipline preceded psychology as a professional practice
More likely to make progress with rationalism and empiricism, rather than revelation and intuition
Australia
1927- First Psychology department developed
1929- First Australian Professor of Psychology appointed
1930 - Australia’s first BA in Psychology established at University of Western Australia.
1944 - Foundation of the Australian Branch of the British Psychological Society
1956- fourth year Diploma in Clinical Psychology introduced
1966- Foundation of the Australian Psychological Society
1976 – concerns raised about adequacy and content of professional training in psychology at Armidale conference
1977 – First national conference on training in professional psychology. SP model endorsed by representatives from universities and services
- Came to form a foundation assumption of the accreditation of courses for membership of APS – APAC guidelines
The focus upon a scientific approach, broad understanding of the disciplinary knowledge base, development of research capacity, and relative de-emphasis of practical skills acquisition in the undergraduate degree are thus key features of the scientist–practitioner model as it has evolved in Australia
Describe and explain the historical influences on the scientist practitioner model
> Coined term clinical psychologist
APA recommended SP model of training
increasing recognition of need to move away from guesswork
Both S and P important for clinical psychologists
Bolder conference - hugely influential, reaffirmed model, registration, processes and monitoring
3 courses approved
Vail conference - some divergence of views
Utah conference - reaffirming model for training
Demands of WWII called for psychologists to provide treatment
- generation of scientists became practitioners
- developed into scientist-practitioner and the US strongly endorsed this
- NIMH (national institute of mental health) created to support research into diagnosis and treatment
- guidelines produced for psych programs
Critical evaluate the current controversies of the scientist practitioner model
The SP has been highly criticised and many argue that it is not a valid model for psychological training.
Philosophical
No validity to the necessity of research training for clinician’s
What is science debate/changing nature of science
Psychological
Interest in and talent for research and applied work are different
Under values practitioner experience and tacit knowledge
Practical
Has not worked – most practitioners do not publish.
Practitioners, in turn, need to (a) be aware of, (b) read the literature as it is generated, (c) change practices based on consistent and reliable findings, (d) help contribute to practice-relevant literature, and (e) proceed with caution when knowledge from practice exceeds that from research.
Assumptions of the SP Model (3)
1) Professionals with knowledge and skills related to research will facilitate effective psychological services and in turn the demand for services will be maintained
2) The nature of science. Psychology should be data driven – research as imperative to the development of a scientific database
3) More direct involvement in clinical practice by researchers would result in studies on important social issues
Need to consider these in light of controversies…
Our ethical obligation to practice in ways that benefit and do not harm; responsibility to profession, clients etc.
Science is what should guide practice and differentiates us from other professsions/untrained people (confer slide 7 r.e. crackpots and charlatans)
Combining theory into practice
Observation
objective and participant, subjective (empathetic), self-observation
Integration of disparate sources of information:
psychological theory, research reports and case studies, personal experience (trial and error, colleagues’ advice), local institutional practice, cultural and societal conceptions and misconceptions,
client views
Conclusion/Decision/Recommendation
Reflection
looking at our experiences in the situation that is unfolding and subsequently exploring why we acted as we did
Kolbs Experiential Learning Cycle
Experience > Reflect > generalise > apply
Local Practitioner Scientist
fundamentally local, specific, and open … as opposed to universal, general, and closed’
a specific client, with a particular set of problems, located in a particular social context, and embedded in a particular cultural milieu, virtually none of which the psychologist can simplify, manipulate, or control
This is more a procedural approach in which the local clinical scientist approaches practice issues such as therapy with the same critical and controlled thinking that would be used by a scientist working in a laboratory
The local clinical scientist … uses scientific research and methods, general scholarship, and personal and professional experience to develop plausible and communicable formulations of local phenomena
main focus is on the local practical context with a scientific attitude being used to solve specific therapeutic problems.
Characteristics of Local Practitioner Scientist
searching out ideas and evidence and drawing logical inferences from them
communicating information clearly and precisely
being open and receptive to the new but cautious about its too ready acceptance
respecting empirical support but being sceptical about certainty
recognising one’s own biases
What is evidence based practice?
Evidence based medicine is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.
The practice of evidence based medicine means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research
the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences
Evidence-based practice involves the conscientious and explicit use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care, education, and treatment of an individual
Involves the synthesis of current best empirical evidence, clinical expertise and consideration of stakeholder perspectives
let the problem determine the nature and source of evidence to be sought, rather than our habits, protocols or traditions
identifying the best evidence calls for the integration of epidemiological and biostatistical ways of thinking with those derived from pathophysiology and our personal experience
the conclusions of this search and critical appraisal of evidence are worthwhile only if they are translated into actions that affect our patients
we should continuously evaluate our performance in applying these ideas.
Levels of Evidence (7)
Level 7 - Systematic review of randomised control trials Level 6 - Randomised control Trials Level 5 - Cohort Studies Level 4 - Multiple Case studies Level 3 - Single Case studies Level 2 - Expert opinion Level 1 - Anecdotal/testimonial
