2020 Breakout Session - Fikkan et al.

2020 Breakout Session - Fikkan et al.

Mentoring Trainees with Problems of Professional Competence: Ethical Considerations

 

Title of Presentation: Mentoring Trainees with Problems of Professional Competence: Ethical Considerations

Presenter Information:

Janna Fikkan, Ph.D. - VA Puget Sound, American Lake Division

Ruth Varkovitzky, Ph.D., ABPP - VA Puget Sound, American Lake Division

 

Abstract:

Trainees identified as having problems of professional competence (TIPPCs) have unique training needs that can present ethical challenges to trainers in health service psychology. The purpose of this presentation is to share a recently implemented model of professional mentorship for TIPPCs developed at the American Lake VA Psychology Training program. This model is informed by literature on providing mentoring to TIPPCs and the ethical considerations when advocacy for a trainee must be balanced with the professional obligation to act as gatekeepers to protect consumers of psychological services. We will discuss: 1) our programmatic aim to provide a non-evaluative mentoring relationship for TIPPCs and the limits therein, 2) our trainers experience of providing this mentorship to TIPPCs at both the doctoral intern and postdoctoral level of training, 3) the ethical considerations involved in providing mentoring to TIPPCs by psychologists within the training program, 4) how developing this model more widely may improve ‘pipeline progress’ for psychology trainees, and 5) how to further develop this model with attention to trainees of diverse identities to help foster culturally competent professional mentorship. The general outline of this presentation includes summary of extant literature, gaining familiarity with preferred terms, and contextualizing mentoring of TIPPCs within the broader field of mentoring. We will then discuss the potential benefits to trainees of receiving this type of professional mentorship and the potential benefits to a training program of separation of evaluative roles (supervisor) and non-evaluative roles (mentor). We follow this by a discussion of the ethical considerations for trainers in mentoring TIPPCs and how the use of a mentoring contract developed at our site may help clarify roles and the purpose of the mentoring relationship. We end by briefly summarizing the experience of trainers within our training program with providing such mentoring. Questions from the audience addressing their experiences in supporting TIPPCs will be welcomed. At the end of this presentation, the learner will be able to: 1. Describe a shared definition of trainees identified with problems of professional competence (TIPPCs) 2. Identify intersecting and conflicting obligations of psychologists to support trainees and protect the public 3. Identify at least 2 elements of the APA ethics code to consider when mentoring TIPPCs 4. Discuss considerations of diverse identifies among trainers and trainees that may impact a mentoring relationship.

 

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe a shared definition of trainees identified with problems of professional competence (TIPPCs).

  2. Identify intersecting and conflicting obligations of psychologists to support trainees and protect the public.

  3. Identify at least 2 elements of the APA ethics code to consider when mentoring TIPPCs.

  4.  Discuss considerations of diverse identifies among trainers and trainees that may impact a mentoring relationship.

 

References:

Jacobs, S.C., Huprich, S.K., Grus, C.L., Cage, E.A., Elman, N.S., Forrest, L., … Kaslow, N.J. (2011). Trainees With Professional Competency Problems: Preparing Trainers for Difficult but Necessary Conversations. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 5, 175-184

 

Johnson, W.B., Elman, N.S., Forrest, L., Robiner, W.N., Rodolfa, E., & Schaffer, J.B. (2008). Addressing Professional Competence Problems in Trainees: Some Ethical Considerations. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39, 589-599

 

Shen-Miller, D.S., Forrest, L., & Elman, N.S. (2009). Training Directors’ Conceptualizations of the Intersections of Diversity and Trainee Competence Problems - A Preliminary Analysis. The Counseling Psychologist, 37, 482-518