Clinical practicum logs

A neglected source of information to help guide training program development

Specification of the length and types of practicum placement activities in professional training is intended to provide sufficient experience across a wide range of professional activities and allow trainees the chance to demonstrate a minimum level of competence in multiple domains.

Unfortunately, there is a lack of data to guide how much or what types of activities are required to establish competence. In Australia and several other countries, there is a need to account for practice experience through accumulation of specified practice hours. 

A study by Australian researchers set out to understand the types, duration and progression of clinical activities by professional psychology trainees during their placements. The research outlines a custom-developed electronic application designed to collect this information. 

Data from the practicum logs of 76 university clinical psychology trainees showed trainees spent 43 per cent of their time on activities supporting direct client work, such as preparation and case notes. Engaging in direct client contact made up 37 per cent of hours and 20 per cent of their time was spent in supervision. 

On average each trainee saw 78 clients for individual work and the average number of contacts was 3.69. The most frequent primary problems treated were anxiety disorders (28%) and depressive disorders (16%). Treatment of substance use disorders was rare (2%) as was work with older adults (2.6%). 

The findings may offer a reference point for what might be considered ‘typical’ of a clinical psychology practicum. However, there is a need for greater understanding of how the activities undertaken culminate in reaching clinical competency, and how this might differ between trainees. 

https://doi.org/10.1111/cp.12221