Postdoctoral training in health service psychology: Current perspectives in an evolving profession.

Abstract

Postdoctoral training in health service psychology has evolved significantly in the past 70 years as a reflection of our field's development. This article presents a contemporary perspective on postdoctoral training; its purpose in the sequence of training is conceptualized as advanced competency development in either recognized specialty practice areas or a specific focus area. We discuss how postdoctoral training fits within the growing trend toward increased specialization in recognized specialty areas and review the impact the new Standards of Accreditation will have on the design of postdoctoral training programs. Educators provide professional development mentorship about post-internship plans (including employment, postdoctoral training, specialty practice, and short-and long-term career goals) during graduate school and the internship year. We offer topics for educators and trainees to explore together and provide questions that will facilitate decision making about postdoctoral opportunities, in the context of the field's development. Finally, we offer recommendations for collaboration, as well as actions that educators, training directors, and trainees can take to support the continued development of postdoctoral training.

Competence in psychology board certification: Unlike a good wine, it does not get better with age.

“…As such, training programs have an opportunity to prepare trainees for this career milestone through exposure to ABPP, didactics, and professional development. This is becoming increasingly recognized by training programs (Baker & Cox, 2014; Silberbogen, Aosved, Cross, Cox, & Felleman, 2018). Modeling successful board certification by training faculty is an important mechanism to foster board certification among ECPs, allowing them to capitalize on the momentum gained in their psychology training.…”

Towards Enacting Social Justice in HE - A Case of Postdoctoral Research Fellows

“…Six of the reviewed studies explored the roles, responsibilities, purpose and function of PDRFs. McQuaid and McCutcheon (2018) and Silberbogen et al (2018) note that a postdoctoral research fellowship is different from an entry-level position or internship in that it involves mentored training that develops advanced competencies within a specific focus area. Akerlind (2005) observes that the growth of postdoctoral research fellowships at the international level has resulted in a lack of systematic definition of PDRF positions.…”

Postdoctoral training in health service psychology: Introduction to the special section.

“…The contribution from Silberbogen, Aosved, Cross, Cox, and Felleman (2018) This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.…”

“…The contribution from Silberbogen, Aosved, Cross, Cox, and Felleman (2018) provides historical context on the development of postdoctoral training in health service psychology as arising from the evolution of the field of psychology and from the development of knowledge in specific focus areas of science and practice. The focus of postdoctoral training has varied in the past as a mechanism for a number of different outcomes; the development of research skills in an apprenticeship model, the accrual of supervised clinical hours for licensure, and the development of advanced skills.…”

“…The focus of postdoctoral training has varied in the past as a mechanism for a number of different outcomes; the development of research skills in an apprenticeship model, the accrual of supervised clinical hours for licensure, and the development of advanced skills. The authors put forth a conceptualization of postdoctoral training as a mentored training experience to develop advanced competencies within a focus area or a recognized specialty area (Silberbogen et al, 2018). By this definition, postdoctoral training differs from an entry-level position or supervised on-the-job experience for licensure in that it incorporates an explicit focus on training with specified content as well as an emphasis on professional identity development.…”