Evaluation of CoreConnect: A Professional Training Program for Provisional Psychologists in Regional NSW
Tracks
Kuranda and Virtual via OnAIR
| Thursday, November 7, 2024 |
| 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM |
| Kuranda Ballroom |
Overview
Zora Todoroska, Marathon Health and Nicole Sudmalis, Health in Mind
Speaker
Nicole Sudmalis
Psychologist
Health In Mind
Evaluation of CoreConnect: A Professional Training Program for Provisional Psychologists in Regional NSW
Abstract
Background and objective: CoreConnect is a pilot training program provided free and online to provisional psychologists working in regional NSW who are employed by one of four partnering organizations. CoreConnect was developed to address the burdens of time and cost to train and prepare new graduate psychologists for general registration. This study sought to understand and evaluate the key stakeholders’ perceptions about outcomes achieved by CoreConnect, and their experiences with CoreConnect.
Method: A mixed methods design was adopted. A representative sample of 17 provisional psychologists, seven clinical supervisors, and six employers participated in this study. Data was collected longitudinally via survey and/or participant interview over the initial 12-months of the program.
Results: Participants perceived that CoreConnect contributed to increased professional knowledge, skills and confidence in the provisional psychologists. High ratings of satisfaction and support for CoreConnect were maintained throughout the program. Perceptions of time and cost savings were reported by supervisors and employers. CoreConnect was perceived to increase the attraction, recruitment, and retention of provisional psychologists within employing organizations. Points of improvement that were suggested by the participants included increasing practical and interactive aspects of the training and to incorporate face-to-face learning to promote stronger social connections.
Conclusion: This evaluation showed that key stakeholders valued the contribution of the pilot CoreConnect program as an important workforce development strategy supporting provisional psychologists. Findings included positive learning outcomes, experiences and satisfaction for participants as well as time and cost savings for supervisors and employers. CoreConnect was valued by employers as a point of difference that served to attract and retain provisional psychologists. Several points for improvement of CoreConnect were identified and will support the ongoing improvement and expansion of the CoreConnect program across rural and remote communities.
Three Key Learnings:
1. CoreConnect is a group based, online training program that aims to support the professional development of provisional psychologists towards general registration with AHPRA. It was developed and trialled by a consortium of employers in regional NSW.
2. Participants in the CoreConnect program reported positive learning outcomes and satisfaction with the program. Significant time and cost savings were reported by employers. Some employers indicated they could increase their capacity to employ provisional psychologists with the support of the CoreConnect program.
3. Given the time and cost burden to employers of supporting the professional development of new graduate provisional psychologists, the CoreConnect model is likely to be an important contribution to supporting the psychology workforce in regional Australia.
Method: A mixed methods design was adopted. A representative sample of 17 provisional psychologists, seven clinical supervisors, and six employers participated in this study. Data was collected longitudinally via survey and/or participant interview over the initial 12-months of the program.
Results: Participants perceived that CoreConnect contributed to increased professional knowledge, skills and confidence in the provisional psychologists. High ratings of satisfaction and support for CoreConnect were maintained throughout the program. Perceptions of time and cost savings were reported by supervisors and employers. CoreConnect was perceived to increase the attraction, recruitment, and retention of provisional psychologists within employing organizations. Points of improvement that were suggested by the participants included increasing practical and interactive aspects of the training and to incorporate face-to-face learning to promote stronger social connections.
Conclusion: This evaluation showed that key stakeholders valued the contribution of the pilot CoreConnect program as an important workforce development strategy supporting provisional psychologists. Findings included positive learning outcomes, experiences and satisfaction for participants as well as time and cost savings for supervisors and employers. CoreConnect was valued by employers as a point of difference that served to attract and retain provisional psychologists. Several points for improvement of CoreConnect were identified and will support the ongoing improvement and expansion of the CoreConnect program across rural and remote communities.
Three Key Learnings:
1. CoreConnect is a group based, online training program that aims to support the professional development of provisional psychologists towards general registration with AHPRA. It was developed and trialled by a consortium of employers in regional NSW.
2. Participants in the CoreConnect program reported positive learning outcomes and satisfaction with the program. Significant time and cost savings were reported by employers. Some employers indicated they could increase their capacity to employ provisional psychologists with the support of the CoreConnect program.
3. Given the time and cost burden to employers of supporting the professional development of new graduate provisional psychologists, the CoreConnect model is likely to be an important contribution to supporting the psychology workforce in regional Australia.
Biography
Nicole Sudmalis is a Psychologist working at Health in Mind, a private practice in Orange, NSW. She has over 12 years of experience working with children and adults delivering psychological assessments and psychotherapy. She is in the final stages of completing a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology at CSU and chose to undertake this evaluation of the CoreConnect program as part of the course research requirements. Nicole is an accredited psychology supervisor with a passion for delivering professional development for new graduate psychologists in her rural community.
Zora Todoroska
Practice Lead - Mental Health Workforce Development
Marathon Health
Evaluation of CoreConnect: A Professional Training Program for Provisional Psychologists in Regional NSW
Abstract
Background and objective: CoreConnect is a pilot training program provided free and online to provisional psychologists working in regional NSW who are employed by one of four partnering organizations.
CoreConnect was developed to address the burdens of time and cost to train and prepare new graduate psychologists for general registration. This study sought to understand and evaluate the key stakeholders’ perceptions about outcomes achieved by CoreConnect, and their experiences with CoreConnect.
Method: A mixed methods design was adopted. A representative sample of 17 provisional psychologists, seven clinical supervisors, and six employers participated in this study. Data was collected longitudinally via survey and/or participant interview over the initial 12-months of the program.
Results: Participants perceived that CoreConnect contributed to increased professional knowledge, skills and confidence in the provisional psychologists. High ratings of satisfaction and support for CoreConnect were maintained throughout the program. Perceptions of time and cost savings were reported by supervisors and employers. CoreConnect was perceived to increase the attraction, recruitment, and retention of provisional psychologists within employing organizations. Points of improvement that were suggested by the participants included increasing practical and interactive aspects of the training and to incorporate face-to-face learning to promote stronger social connections.
Conclusion: This evaluation showed that key stakeholders valued the contribution of the pilot CoreConnect program as an important workforce development strategy supporting provisional psychologists. Findings included positive learning outcomes, experiences and satisfaction for participants as well as time and cost savings for supervisors and employers. CoreConnect was valued by employers as a point of difference that served to attract and retain provisional psychologists. Several points for improvement of CoreConnect were identified and will support the ongoing improvement and expansion of the CoreConnect program across rural and remote communities.
Three Key Learnings:
1. CoreConnect is a group based, online training program that aims to support the professional development of provisional psychologists towards general registration with AHPRA. It was developed and trialled by a consortium of employers in regional NSW.
2. Participants in the CoreConnect program reported positive learning outcomes and satisfaction with the program. Significant time and cost savings were reported by employers. Some employers indicated they could increase their capacity to employ provisional psychologists with the support of the CoreConnect program.
3. Given the time and cost burden to employers of supporting the professional development of new graduate provisional psychologists, the CoreConnect model is likely to be an important contribution to supporting the psychology workforce in regional Australia.
CoreConnect was developed to address the burdens of time and cost to train and prepare new graduate psychologists for general registration. This study sought to understand and evaluate the key stakeholders’ perceptions about outcomes achieved by CoreConnect, and their experiences with CoreConnect.
Method: A mixed methods design was adopted. A representative sample of 17 provisional psychologists, seven clinical supervisors, and six employers participated in this study. Data was collected longitudinally via survey and/or participant interview over the initial 12-months of the program.
Results: Participants perceived that CoreConnect contributed to increased professional knowledge, skills and confidence in the provisional psychologists. High ratings of satisfaction and support for CoreConnect were maintained throughout the program. Perceptions of time and cost savings were reported by supervisors and employers. CoreConnect was perceived to increase the attraction, recruitment, and retention of provisional psychologists within employing organizations. Points of improvement that were suggested by the participants included increasing practical and interactive aspects of the training and to incorporate face-to-face learning to promote stronger social connections.
Conclusion: This evaluation showed that key stakeholders valued the contribution of the pilot CoreConnect program as an important workforce development strategy supporting provisional psychologists. Findings included positive learning outcomes, experiences and satisfaction for participants as well as time and cost savings for supervisors and employers. CoreConnect was valued by employers as a point of difference that served to attract and retain provisional psychologists. Several points for improvement of CoreConnect were identified and will support the ongoing improvement and expansion of the CoreConnect program across rural and remote communities.
Three Key Learnings:
1. CoreConnect is a group based, online training program that aims to support the professional development of provisional psychologists towards general registration with AHPRA. It was developed and trialled by a consortium of employers in regional NSW.
2. Participants in the CoreConnect program reported positive learning outcomes and satisfaction with the program. Significant time and cost savings were reported by employers. Some employers indicated they could increase their capacity to employ provisional psychologists with the support of the CoreConnect program.
3. Given the time and cost burden to employers of supporting the professional development of new graduate provisional psychologists, the CoreConnect model is likely to be an important contribution to supporting the psychology workforce in regional Australia.
Biography
Zora Todoroska is a Psychologist employed by Marathon Health as Practice Lead Mental Health Workforce Development in Queanbeyan. She has over 15 years of experience working with children and adults delivering psychological therapy. Zora has worked for many years supporting the development of the psychology and allied health workforce at Marathon Health and has been a key leader in the development of the CoreConnect program.
Host
Lise Saunders
Event Coordinator
AST Management
Justine White
Event Manager
AST Management
