Ethics in pediatric psychology: Considerations for trainees transitioning to the medical setting.

Abstract

and BestTraining Practices in Pediatric Psychology identified ethics as one of the key domains within the recommended professional competencies for training in pediatric psychology. Despite this, there has been minimal research examining specific ethical competencies required at various training levels and the necessary steps to achieve these goals. While psychology trainees have didactic and applied training in general ethical principles in clinical psychology, the introduction to clinical work in pediatric psychology presents distinct ethical challenges that are likely not covered within general ethical training as a graduate student (e.g., confidentiality within multidisciplinary interactions, different ethical standards across professions). Furthermore, there is minimal guidance available to supervisors and supervisees on strategies to prepare trainees for ethical dilemmas when entering pediatric psychology settings. Both supervisors and supervisees would benefit greatly from discussion of unique challenges and potential training solutions for trainees beginning clinical work in a pediatric medical setting. Method: The current article presents an overview of the unique ethical issues that trainees may encounter and training needs when entering the pediatric setting. Recommendations for trainees and supervisors are then provided. Results/Conclusions: Trainee recommendations include enrolling in a pediatric psychology course, reviewing available ethics resources, continually considering and revisiting ethical issues, and seeking supervision to ensure ethical practice and skill development. Supervisor recommendations include setting the expectation to discuss ethical issues, providing ongoing opportunities for ethics discussions, assessing supervisee competence, and fostering a positive training relationship to encourage disclosure and discussion of ethics-related issues. Implications for Impact StatementThis article advances the field of pediatric psychology by highlighting the importance of targeted assessment and training in the area of ethics when psychology trainees first enter the medical setting. Furthermore, common ethical challenges encountered and real-life strategies that trainees and supervisors can implement to support trainee development of ethical skills are provided.