A Method for Enhancing Specialty Skills of Practicing Psychologists: Independent Learning Plan Experiences among Psychologists working in the Veterans Health Administration.

Abstract

The current workforce lacks enough trained psychologists specializing in geriatric mental health (i.e., geropsychologists) to meet the population's needs. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Geriatric Scholars Program-Psychology Track (GSP-P) targets this gap by providing intensive post-licensure training to enhance geropsychology skills and competencies. Further professional development is offered through an advanced workshop that includes structured independent learning plans (ILPs) with subject matter expert consultation over a 6-month period. To evaluate the program, we conducted a survey that included closed-ended questions for perceptions of learning on a 5-point Likert type scale and open-ended questions to characterize the perception of the ILP experience, local challenges and solutions, and impact on the population level. The response rate was 78.9% among 19 scholars. Scholars strongly agreed that participation in the ILPs improved their geropsychology knowledge (M = 4.8 of 5/strongly agreed) and skills (M = 4.5 of 5). Content analysis of activities completed and challenges was conducted. A rapid thematic analytic approach guided by the Kirkpatrick (2016) learning evaluation model was used to analyze scholars' responses to open-ended prompts. Qualitative findings confirmed a positive reaction to learning, acquisition of new knowledge, skills and competencies, which led to practice change that, in turn, had a positive impact on VHA organizational goals. After completing the ILP, scholars described their commitment to continue and grow in geropsychology training, which suggests that the GSP-P model, with mentored independent learning for continuing professional development, might be expanded within VHA and exported to other healthcare settings.