Evaluating your professional practice management

Updated self-assessment tool now available

The APS believes that documenting standards of psychological practice is of considerable benefit to psychologists in private practice. Such standards not only provide a basis for public and government confidence in the professionalism of psychologists, but also provide a basis by which psychologists can ensure they are implementing processes that form good practice. In contrast to clinical and ethical principles, practice management standards are a relatively new consideration for psychologists.

The impetus for the development of a set of practice management standards transpired as a result of the introduction of government-funded psychology services, with an increased focus on the accountability of psychologists and on standards of service delivery. In 2006 the APS developed the Private Practice Management Standards, a series of management standards with performance indicators by which psychologists can evaluate their current private practice. The Private Practice Management Standards Self-Assessment Instrument, an online assessment that enables evaluation against a set of standards, was also launched. Self-evaluation was seen to be a proactive approach to such an assessment, providing psychologists with a process for measuring the quality of their practice management and linkage to educational material to guide improvement in specific areas. Over 1,000 psychologists completed the original self-assessment instrument.

As a result of significant changes and developments in the field of psychology, revisions to the original tool were required. In addition, the tool was broadened to encompass professional practice in general rather than its original specific focus on private practice. In consultation with members, revisions and modifications have now been made and a revised version of the Professional Practice Management Standards (PPMS) is available for members’ use.

The PPMS Self-Assessment Instrument – Version 2 has been developed with the aim of applicability to a broad range of professional psychology settings and for a variety of practice environments. Revisions to the tool have included:

• Greater operationalisation of performance indicators
• Additions to address changes in the professional psychology landscape, such as third party funding arrangements
• (e.g., Medicare), national registration and the continuing professional development requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia
• Greater focus on specific areas of practice such as clinician self-care, risk assessment and management of safety in the practice, practice evaluation, and working with other professionals.

The PPMS Self-Assessment Instrument – Version 2 includes the following six Standard Areas:

• Standard Area 1: Provision of Services
• Standard Area 2: Rights, Responsibilities and Safety
• Standard Area 3: Management of Client Information
• Standard Area 4: Quality Assurance and Continuing Education
• Standard Area 5: Business and Personnel Management
• Standard Area 6: The Practice Environment

Within each Standard Area there are a number of Standards with accompanying Performance Indicators. The aim of this tool is to help psychologists evaluate their practices and identify areas where improvements can be made. Psychologists completing the PPMS are entitled to claim two continuing professional development hours each year. Following completion of the self-assessment, performance results are provided to indicate possible areas for improvement in practice management. A document providing resources to support learning across the different Standards has also been prepared.

The PPMS Self-Assessment Instrument is available for use by APS members and can be accessed from the website, along with the supporting resources, at: www.psychology.org.au/practitioner/essential/PPMS/

Professional Practice Team, National Office