Postdoctoral Psychology Training and Applicants in 2018-2019: How can TDs apply this Information?

 

Authors:
Allison C. Aosved, Ph.D., ABPP - VA Pacific Islands Health Care System

Amy K. Silberbogen, Ph.D., ABPP - Boston VA Health Care System, 

Kylee Hagler, Ph.D. - Boston VA Health Care System

Katherine Oost, Ph.D., - Bellingham Psychotherapy

Wayne Siegel, Ph.D., ABPP - Minneapolis VA Health Care System

Elizabeth McQuaid, Ph.D. - Brown University

 

Abstract:
In recent years, postdoctoral training in health service psychology has received increased focus due to shifts towards specialization and advanced competency development. Given that more formalized postdoctoral training positions are available, attracting applicants with a wide variety of personal and professional goals, it is critical for program administrators and mentors to understand applicants’ perceptions of desirable training experiences. This presentation has two primary aims:  1) to describe the postdoctoral opportunities listed in the Universal Psychology Postdoctoral Directory (UPPD); and 2) to describe those factors that applicants considered when applying for postdoctoral positions during the 2018-2019 recruitment season. The Association for Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) has data to address both aims – from the publicly available UPPD to the anonymous data collected from potential postdoctoral program applicants who completed a post-recruitment period survey (n = 1,214). Results indicated that 82% (n = 998) of those surveyed applied to at least one postdoctoral program, with 1,184 postdoctoral programs being listed in the UPPD. Reasons given for applying for postdoctoral positions, in order of endorsement frequency, were obtaining hours for licensure; increasing competitiveness for future employment; obtaining advanced competency; and obtaining additional professional mentorship. Factors that survey respondents deemed important in determining ranking of program preferences included clinical training opportunities; perceived training quality; geographic location; work-life balance; pay/benefits; and employment prospects. Implications for recruitments and retention of diverse trainees will be discussed. Small group discussions will focus on how this information can best be used by mentors of prospective postdoctoral applicants to more effectively advise program selection, and by postdoctoral program administrators to further innovate recruitment and selection strategies as well as development of desirable postdoctoral training experiences that will prepare trainees with advanced competencies for early careers in health service psychology.

 

Learning objectives:

Participants will be able to list two characteristics about the UPPD listings in 2018-2019.

Participants will be able to list three of the top five reasons applicants gave for applying to postdoctoral positions in 2018-2019.

Participants, who are postdoctoral program directors/trainers, will be able to identify one strategy improvement for recruitment and selection in their postdoctoral program.

Participants, who are internship program directors/trainers, will be able to identify one strategy to utilize for mentoring interns who are considering applying to postdoctoral programs.

 

Citations:

Bodin, D., Schmidt, J. P., Lemle, R. B., Roper, B. L., Goldberg, R. W., Hill, K. R., … Siegel, W.

(2018). Recruitment and selection in health service psychology postdoctoral training: A review of the history and current issues. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 12(2), 74–81. https://doi.org/10.1037/tep0000181

 

Kaslow, N. J., Bangasser, D. A., Grus, C. L., McCutcheon, S. R., & Fowler, G. A. (2018).

Facilitating pipeline progress from doctoral degree to first job. American Psychologist, 73(1), 47–62. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000120

 

Silberbogen, A. K., Aosved, A. C., Cross, W. F., Cox, D. R., & Felleman, B. I. (2018).

Postdoctoral training in Health Service Psychology: Current perspectives in an evolving profession. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 12(2), 66-73. DOI: 10.1037/tep0000182

 

Interactions:

This presentation will provide opportunity for interaction via small group discussion regarding potential postdoctoral program applicants’ considerations and preferences when making decisions about postdoctoral training and how this information can best be used by mentors of prospective postdoctoral applicants (e.g., internship TDs) to more effectively advise program selection, and by postdoctoral program administrators (e.g., postdoctoral TDs) to further innovate recruitment and selection strategies as well as development of desirable postdoctoral training experiences that will prepare trainees with advanced competencies for early careers in health service psychology. The small groups will be asked to report out to the larger groups following their discussions.

 

Diversity:

This presentation will address matters of diversity via discussion of implications of the UPPD and applicant data for recruitment and retention of diverse trainees as well as during small group discussion.