Workforce competencies in behavioral health: an overview

Adm Policy Ment Health. 2005 May-Jul;32(5-6):593-631. doi: 10.1007/s10488-005-3259-x.

Abstract

Competency-based training approaches are being used more in healthcare to guide curriculum content and ensure accountability and outcomes in the educational process. This article provides an overview of the state of competency development in the field of behavioral health. Specifically, it identifies the groups and organizations that have conducted and supported this work, summarizes their progress in defining and assessing competencies, and discusses both the obstacles and future directions for such initiatives. A major purpose of this article is to provide a compendium of current competency efforts so that these might inform and enhance ongoing competency development in the varied behavioral health disciplines and specialties. These varied resources may also be useful in identifying the core competencies that are common to the multiple disciplines and specialties.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Behavioral Medicine / education*
  • Behavioral Medicine / standards
  • Clinical Competence*
  • Competency-Based Education
  • Employee Performance Appraisal
  • Family Therapy / standards
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Mental Disorders / therapy
  • Mental Health Services / standards*
  • Patient Care Team / standards
  • Psychiatric Nursing / education
  • Psychiatric Nursing / standards
  • Psychiatry / education
  • Psychiatry / standards
  • Psychology, Clinical / education
  • Psychology, Clinical / standards
  • Social Work, Psychiatric / education
  • Social Work, Psychiatric / standards
  • Staff Development / methods
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy
  • United States
  • Workforce