What do psychologists think about mandatory continuing education? A survey of Pennsylvania practitioners.

Abstract

Would psychologists voluntarily participate in continuing education (CE) if it were not mandatory to do so? Does CE help make psychologists more effective clinicians? These and other aspects of mandatory CE were explored in a survey of 168 licensed psychologists in Pennsylvania. Although 75% of respondents were in favor of mandatory CE, the sample was divided over the question of whether they would obtain the required credits if not mandatory. Forty-five percent of respondents reported that attendance at CE programs often increases their clinical effectiveness, whereas 41% reported this as occurring sometimes, and 11% as only rarely. Because this survey was conducted in Pennsylvania, the results are discussed in light of varying CE requirements in other states. BRUCE S. SHARKIN received hisPhD in counseling psychology from the University of Maryland. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services at Kutztown University. His research interests include anger, college student counseling, and ethics and professional issues. PAULA M. PLAGEMAN received her MA in counseling psychology from Kutztown University. She is a counselor in the Department of Developmental Studies at Kutztown University. Her research interests include college student counseling and development. THIS RESEARCH WAS FUNDED by a Kutztown University faculty research grant. WE THANK Nick Ladany for his thoughtful comments on an earlier version of this article.

Quebec psychologists and continuing education.

“…This mirrors the general positive attitude and important placed on continuing education in this field (Neimeyer et al, 2009;Sharkin & Plageman, 2003). Additionally, the vast majority of participants "somewhat" to "strongly" agreed that they are putting the necessary amount of time and money into their continuing education activities (see Table 1).…”

“…Willingness to participate in continuing education activities was shown in Sharkin and Plageman's (2003) study of Pennsylvania psychologists, in which 18% of the 168 participants indicated that they often attend continuing education activities when not required, and 47% reported sometimes attending when not required. The majority of the participants reported that what they had learned could be implemented into their practice, and over 85% believed that continuing education "sometimes" or "frequently" made them more effective in practice.…”

Odd Couple? Reenvisioning the Relation Between Science and Practice in the Dissemination-Implementation Era

“…The primary reasons given for choosing a particular CE program tend to involve cost, convenience, topic, and location (Sharkin & Plageman, 2003).…”

Continuing Education in Professional Psychology: Do Ethics Mandates Matter?

“…In earlier work, noted, however, that even within nonmandating jurisdictions, the majority of psychologists favored CE mandates, with only 25% disagreeing with mandating CE. This figure (25%), as noted by , is conspicuously close to the 25% to 30% of psychologists who likely would not participate in CE in the absence of CE mandates (Phillips, 1987;Sharkin & Plageman, 2003;VandeCreek et al, 1990), raising significant questions regarding whether the opposition to mandated CE is heavily populated by what Phillips has termed CE "laggards. "…”