Effects of clinical placements in residential aged care settings on geropsychology competencies among provisional psychologists in Australia

Abstract

Objective There are limited training opportunities in geropsychology for provisional psychologists and other health care professionals. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a clinical geropsychology training programme for improving self-reported proficiency of student psychologists across various domains of geropsychology competency.Method Forty-eight postgraduate psychology students at Swinburne University of Technology who did (n = 23) and did not (n = 25) undertake a placement in a residential aged care setting completed a self-report measure of geropsychology competencies (Pikes Peak Geropsychology Knowledge and Skill Assessment Tool) before and after their placement.Results Students who undertook a placement at an aged care facility significantly improved self-reported competencies in geropsychology domains – general knowledge of ageing, foundations of professional geropsychology practice, assessment, intervention and consultation – to a greater extent than students who did not undertake such placements.Conclusions Findings from this study highlight the importance of clinical placements in residential aged care facilities for student psychologists to develop geropsychology competencies and to prepare a future workforce of psychologists for our growing ageing population.

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