A profile of psychologists in clinical training caseloads in Ireland
The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice
ISSN: 1755-6228
Article publication date: 11 May 2015
Abstract
Purpose
This study profiled the work activities, including caseloads, of psychologists in clinical training (n=51; hereafter referred to as “trainees”) in the Republic of Ireland (RoI). The purpose of this paper is to highlight the value of trainees by focusing on the effect they had on the waiting times across the services where they were on placement.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a survey design using the online survey software, Limesurvey, in order to profile the work activities of 51 trainees (response rate=47 per cent) on various placements across the RoI.
Findings
Findings suggest that the trainees work contributed in a meaningful way to their host services through their engagement in both direct and indirect clinical work.
Research limitations/implications
The study relied on self-report data, some of which were estimates (e.g. waitlist lengths at placement end). Future research could employ other methods (e.g. work activity diaries) to increase reliability.
Originality/value
By highlighting the valuable contribution made by trainees while on placement, this study supports the continued funding of clinical training programmes in the RoI.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to sincerely thank Patrick McHugh for reviewing successive drafts of this paper.
Citation
Feely, D. and Byrne, M. (2015), "A profile of psychologists in clinical training caseloads in Ireland", The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-09-2014-0025
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited