ERIC Number: EJ977934
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0894-1912
EISSN: N/A
The Relationship between Continuing Education and Perceived Competence, Professional Support, and Professional Value among Clinical Psychologists
Bradley, Stacy; Drapeau, Martin; DeStefano, Jack
Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, v32 n1 p31-38 Win 2012
Introduction: Continuing education is one of the means by which professionals maintain and increase their level of competence. However, the relationship between continuing education and the professional's sense of personal competence and other practice-related variables remains unclear. This study examined practicing psychologists' continuing education activities and how these relate to feelings of perceived competence, professional value, and professional support. Methods: Psychologists (n = 418) licensed to practice in Quebec were surveyed by pencil-and-paper mail-in survey concerning their continuing education activities, as well as their perceptions of their competence in practice, and their feelings of being professionally valued and professionally supported. Results: Results indicated that feelings of "competence in practice" were related to professional reading, taking courses/workshops, years being licensed, and attending psychology conferences/conventions. Feelings of "professional value" were related to age and participating in psychology networking groups, and feelings of "professional support" were related to participating in case discussion groups, supervision groups, and psychology networking groups. Discussion: The results showcase the complexity of professional development. Although relationships were found between continuing education activities and the 3 factors of interest, these relationships were moderate. Findings are discussed in the context of their value to individual psychologists, as well as to psychology licensing and regulatory boards, such as promoting participation in those activities related to feelings of competence and support. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Clinical Psychology, Psychologists, Certification, Continuing Education, Self Concept, Attitudes, Professional Development, Reading Habits, Informal Education, Social Support Groups, Conferences (Gatherings), Discussion Groups, Communities of Practice, Work Experience, Workshops
Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2429/WileyCDA
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A