Practices and challenges of outcome-based consultation liaison practicum programs in psychologist training education

Abstract

It is expected that the number of psychologists involved in consultation liaison (CL) will increase, but in the training of psychologists, opportunities to learn CL are limited. This study aims to discuss the development of CL practicum program at this institution and to identify the practices of the program and its challenges. The program development considered the ideas of outcome-based education, set goals, and created a practicum career ladder, practicum content, and schedule while establishing an evaluation for practicum students. The practices focused on understanding the physical, mental, and psychosocial problems of medically ill patients by attending to them with clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. As a practicum effect, practicum students understood the psychotherapy structure peculiar to CL and learned the assessment of medically ill patients. In addition, they were able to understand the roles of psychologists at CL and the multi-disciplinary team. Challenges include constructing practical programs, training practicum instructors, collaborating with graduate schools, and on-site burdens. For psychologists involved in CL to meet the needs of patients, patients’ families, and medical staff and become useful for overall medical treatment, it is crucial to continue proceeding to prepare a consistent education and training system from training education to postgraduate education.