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Schmidt NE, Cottone RR, Steffen AM. Working with older adults impacts training preferences of counselors. GERONTOLOGY & GERIATRICS EDUCATION 2024; 45:86-91. [PMID: 36317689 DOI: 10.1080/02701960.2022.2139693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Clinicians specializing in working with older adults make up a very small portion of providers, and the majority of the service provision falls on general practitioners. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) have heavily focused on Multicultural Competency in training and practice, but the profession has not specified standards of competence for work with older adults. Efforts to increase competency for generalists providing care for older adults are needed. A random sampling of LPCs was surveyed regarding demographic variables, work characteristics, perceived competence for working with older adults, and interest in aging-specific continuing education (CE). About half of the sample reported engaging in practice with older adults over the previous year. Counselors who reported practicing with older adults over the last year were more interested in aging-specific CE and reported higher perceived competence for working with older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ann M Steffen
- University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Gregg JJ, Rodriguez RL, Mehta PS, Kramer BJ, Gould CE. Enhancing specialty training in geropsychology competencies: an evaluation of a VA Geriatric Scholars Program advanced topics workshop. GERONTOLOGY & GERIATRICS EDUCATION 2022:1-10. [PMID: 35491904 DOI: 10.1080/02701960.2022.2069764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing need for psychologists with specialized training in geriatric mental health competencies. The Geriatric Scholars Program for Psychologists (GSP-P) was created to address this shortage within a large integrated healthcare system. In 2019, GSP-P piloted an advanced workshop designed to enhance expertise in geriatric mental health competencies among graduates of its foundational competencies core course. The workshop included 3.5 days of expert-led seminars regarding the biopsychosocial needs of older adults with chronic medical illness and was followed by completion of an individualized learning plan. This paper describes the evaluation of the course using a mixed methods with data collected prior to the workshop, immediately post-workshop, and six months post-workshop. Results indicated enthusiasm for the workshop, significant improvements in four geropsychology domains on the Pikes Peak Geropsychology Knowledge and Skill Assessment Tool, and benefit from completion of the independent learning plans. Our findings demonstrate that continued enhancement of geropsychology competencies through advanced coursework is feasible and improves knowledge and skill, particularly when combined with individualized learning plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Gregg
- Mental & Behavioral Health Service, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine-Geriatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rachel L Rodriguez
- Mental & Behavioral Health Service, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Priyanka S Mehta
- Palo Alto Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto, Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - B Josea Kramer
- Greater Los Angeles Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care System, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christine E Gould
- Palo Alto Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto, Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Jacobs ML, Mlinac ME. Healthcare Quality Improvement Competency: A Clinical and Training Imperative for Geropsychology. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2021; 28:897-908. [PMID: 34596823 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-021-09824-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Quality improvement (QI) work is increasingly necessary to ensure healthcare is delivered safely, efficiently, and equitably. As geropsychologists play an increasingly vital role in healthcare service delivery for older adults, it is imperative that they develop professional competence in QI, yet there is little formal QI training aimed at geropsychologists or to graduate students pursuing geropsychology. This article aims to elucidate the importance of QI education and training in geropsychology. In line with the Pikes Peak model for training in professional geropsychology, we outline QI knowledge and skills competencies for geropsychology training and suggest a rubric for integrating QI education into academic and clinical training from graduate school to professional practice. We provide recommended readings that geropsychology educators can read to become familiar with QI or use as part of a syllabus. Finally, we offer some recommendations for how current and future geropsychologists can be leaders in quality improvement work.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lindsey Jacobs
- Research & Development Service, Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, 3701 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35404, USA.
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
| | - Michelle E Mlinac
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Jamaica Plain, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Huh JWT, Rodriguez RL, Gregg JJ, Scales AN, Kramer BJ, Gould CE. Improving Geropsychology Competencies of Veterans Affairs Psychologists. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:798-805. [PMID: 33453084 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Older adults are more likely to seek mental health care through integrated care settings such as primary care. Currently, there exists a significant shortage of mental health providers trained in geropsychology and integrated care competencies. To address this need within the Veterans Health Administration, a national workforce development program was extended to include psychologists, which is called the Geriatric Scholars Program-Psychology Track (GSP-P). The GSP-P has two overarching educational program aims: (1) to improve geropsychology competencies of practicing VA psychologists, particularly those working within integrated settings (e.g., primary care) and (2) enrich psychologists' abilities to enact change in their clinical settings. Ninety-eight VA clinicians participated in the GSP-P, which includes a multi-day in-person course, from 2014 to 2018. Participants completed measures assessing confidence and self-reported knowledge in geropsychology and integrated care competencies pre-course and 3-months post-completion. Two-weeks post-course participants responded to open-ended survey questions regarding their perceptions of the course and potential applications of learning. Significant improvements in confidence in and knowledge of geropsychology and integrated care competencies emerged from pre-course to 3-months post-completion. Qualitative findings demonstrated that participants valued the face-to-face, integrated multimodal educational program. Findings provided insights regarding clinicians' planned application of the knowledge acquired, such as modifying treatments for older patients. Specialized workforce programs such as the GSP-P have a significant, positive impact on the care of older Veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Terri Huh
- VA San Francisco Health Care System, San Francisco, California, USA.,Wright Institute Clinical (PsyD) Program and Berkeley CBT Clinic, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Rachel L Rodriguez
- Mental & Behavioral Health Service, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Gregg
- Mental & Behavioral Health Service, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Medicine-Geriatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ashley N Scales
- Palo Alto Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto, Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA.,Research Service, Atlanta VA Health Care System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - B Josea Kramer
- Greater Los Angeles Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Division of Geriatric Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christine E Gould
- Palo Alto Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Palo Alto, Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Wyman MF, Voils CI, Trivedi R, Boyle L, Goldman D, Umucu E, Zuelsdorff M, Johnson AL, Gleason CE. Perspectives of Veterans Affairs mental health providers on working with older adults with dementia and their caregivers. GERONTOLOGY & GERIATRICS EDUCATION 2021; 42:114-125. [PMID: 32420824 PMCID: PMC7671942 DOI: 10.1080/02701960.2020.1764356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Continuing education directed at building providers' skills and knowledge in geriatrics represents a practical approach to addressing the geriatric mental health (MH) care workforce shortage. To inform the development of professional training curricula, we surveyed MH providers (N = 65) at a Veterans Affairs medical center on working with older persons with dementia (PwD) and informal caregivers. Providers rated service provision to PwD and caregivers as highly important but endorsed modest self-efficacy. Half of respondents were minimally confident in managing risk of harm to self or others in a PwD. Respondents believed PwD can benefit from MH treatments, yet identified several barriers to providing care, including inadequate time and staffing resources. Interest in geriatric training topics was high. Findings demonstrate that MH providers at this site value care provision to PwD and caregivers, and desire additional training to serve this population. System-level barriers to MH care for PwD should also be identified and addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary F. Wyman
- W.S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health
| | - Corrine I. Voils
- W.S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health
| | - Ranak Trivedi
- Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Lisa Boyle
- W.S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health
| | | | - Emre Umucu
- University of Texas, El Paso, El Paso, TX
| | - Megan Zuelsdorff
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health
- School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin
| | - Adrienne L. Johnson
- W.S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI
- UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Madison, WI
| | - Carey E. Gleason
- W.S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health
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