A survey of UK clinical psychology doctoral training on specialty issues

The DCP Pre-Qualification Group (PQG) conducted a survey of trainee's experience of teaching in four speciality areas of clinical psychology (CP): addictions, clinical health, perinatal psychology, and older adults. The survey was designed in collaboration with the Faculty of Addictions, Faculty of Clinical Health Psychology, Faculty of Perinatal Psychology, and Faculty of Psychology of Older People (FPOP), all a source of expertise on the specialist issues relating to their respective areas. Members of the respective faculties are supported with a forum for the exchange of expert knowledge and skills. Each faculty aims to liaise with professional bodies, consult on policies and national guidance documents, promote research and educational training and share examples of best practice. As trainees, we are aware of the broad and dynamic nature of clinical training. The survey was aimed to give a general understanding of trainee experiences of four key areas of training in order to inform the PQG, the DCP faculties and course providers of future training needs in these specialities of CP.