The training gap: an acute crisis in behavioral health education

Adm Policy Ment Health. 2002 May;29(4-5):305-17. doi: 10.1023/a:1019644821468.

Abstract

Changes in health care have outpaced changes in the educational programs offered to the behavioral health workforce. The result is a training gap that leaves graduate students, working professionals, and other direct care providers inadequately prepared for practice in the current health care environment. This article is based on a keynote address delivered at the Annapolis Conference on Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training. Major changes in health care are reviewed, followed by a description of the training gap as an acute crisis that impedes the delivery of effective and efficient mental health and addiction services. The author describes a national initiative to narrow the training gap and he calls for collective action by the varied groups and organizations that have a stake in this agenda.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Allied Health Personnel / education
  • Behavioral Sciences / education*
  • Education, Continuing
  • Education, Graduate
  • Health Planning
  • Humans
  • Mental Health Services* / organization & administration
  • Quality of Health Care*
  • United States
  • Workforce