O'Driscoll Ciarán, Azmoodeh Kiana, Rana Ravinder, Hardy Gillian
CORE Data Lab, Centre for Outcomes Research and Effectiveness (CORE), Research Department of Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology, UCL, London, UK.
East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
BMC Med Educ. 2024 Jul 31;24(1):825. doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-05802-7.
The Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) is a new psychological profession within the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom. This paper considers the processes developing the CAPs' professional identity, specifically how their roles are embedded within services.
This study utilised an online survey of CAPs and all academic, clinical and managerial staff involved with CAPs. An inductive thematic analysis was undertaken.
A total of 164 participants responded to the survey. Five themes were identified: Widening Access to Psychology, Workforce Development, Navigating the Unfamiliar, Trained [Master's level] Professionals and An Emerging Ethos. In addition, key skills and unique contributions from CAPs were identified.
A clear professional identity is emerging, with CAPs depicted as offering versatile interventions in diverse health care settings, fostering a positive and encouraging integration of psychological expertise into the healthcare service. The study highlights areas for development to facilitate the growth and advancement of the role within the psychological workforce.
临床心理学助理（CAP）是英国国民医疗服务体系（NHS）内的一个新的心理学专业。本文探讨了塑造CAP职业身份的过程，特别是他们的角色如何融入服务之中。
本研究对CAP以及所有参与CAP工作的学术、临床和管理人员进行了在线调查。进行了归纳主题分析。
共有164名参与者回复了调查。确定了五个主题：扩大心理学服务的可及性、劳动力发展、应对陌生领域、受过培训（硕士水平）的专业人员以及一种新兴的风气。此外，还确定了CAP的关键技能和独特贡献。
一个清晰的职业身份正在形成，CAP被描绘为在各种医疗环境中提供多样化的干预措施，促进将心理学专业知识积极且令人鼓舞地融入医疗服务。该研究突出了促进该角色在心理学劳动力队伍中成长和发展的发展领域。
