Psychology Licensing Board Disciplinary Actions · Psychology Licensing Board Disciplinary Actions Barbara A. Van Horne, MBA, Ph.D. APA Convention August 2005 . Frequently, presenters

Psychology Licensing Board Disciplinary Actions

Barbara A. Van Horne, MBA, Ph.D. APA Convention August 2005

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Frequently, presenters must deliver material of a technical nature to an audience unfamiliar with the topic or vocabulary. The material may be complex or heavy with detail. To present technical material effectively, use the following guidelines from Dale Carnegie Training®. Consider the amount of time available and prepare to organize your material. Narrow your topic. Divide your presentation into clear segments. Follow a logical progression. Maintain your focus throughout. Close the presentation with a summary, repetition of the key steps, or a logical conclusion. Keep your audience in mind at all times. For example, be sure data is clear and information is relevant. Keep the level of detail and vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Use visuals to support key points or steps. Keep alert to the needs of your listeners, and you will have a more receptive audience.

APA Convention Van Horne August 2005 2

Survey of ASPPB member boards of disciplinary complaints against psychologists and psychology licensing board actions from

1996-2001

37 jurisdictions responded tho data incomplete (61% of ASPPB Member Boards)

58 to 69% of all licenses in US & Canada

Presenter

Presentation Notes

In your opening, establish the relevancy of the topic to the audience. Give a brief preview of the presentation and establish value for the listeners. Take into account your audience’s interest and expertise in the topic when choosing your vocabulary, examples, and illustrations. Focus on the importance of the topic to your audience, and you will have more attentive listeners.


Number of Complaints Filed

Complaints filed against approximately 2% of licenses

Given the wide variation in procedures for processing complaints, consistency is notable

Presenter

Presentation Notes

If you have several points, steps, or key ideas use multiple slides. Determine if your audience is to understand a new idea, learn a process, or receive greater depth to a familiar concept. Back up each point with adequate explanation. As appropriate, supplement your presentation with technical support data in hard copy or on disc, e-mail, or the Internet. Develop each point adequately to communicate with your audience.


Complaint Data Year 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Number of Complaints 1,752 1,677 1,614 1,653 1,917 1,809

Complaints as Percent of Licenses

2 2 2 2 2 2

Number of Investigated Complaints

980 1,213 750 955 1,339 1,262

Investigated Complaints as Percent of Total Complaints

56 72 46 58 70 70

Investigated Complaints as Percent of Licenses

1 1 1 1 2 2

5

Screening of Complaints Number of Complaints 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

2001

No. of Viable

Complaints

980

1213

750

955

1330

1262

Viable Complaints as a % of

Total Complaints

56%

72%

46%

58%

70%

70%

Viable Complaints as a % of Licenses

1%

1%

1%

1%

2%

2%

6

Actions Not Reported to DDS

2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

Number of Non-

Reportable Actions

164 192 127 143 159 183

Non-Reportable Actions as

% of Viable Complaints

13% 14% 13% 19% 13% 19%

Non-Reportable Actions as % of Total Complaints

9% 10% 8% 9% 9% 10%


Disciplinary Actions Not Reported to ASPPB Disciplinary

Data System

Year 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Number of Non-reportable Actions

183 159 143 127 192 164

Non-reportable Actions as Percent of Licenses 0.25 0.19 0.20 0.18 0.23 0.21


Actions Reported to the ASPPB Disciplinary Data System

Year 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

All Actions Reported to ASPPB DDS

214 194 208 208 154 165

All Reported Actions as Percent of Total Number of Licenses 0.195 0.162 0.204 0.167 0.124 0.132

*Total of number of licensees reported by ASPPB member jurisdictions in the Handbook of Licensing and Certification Requirements for Psychologists in North America (ASPPB, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000a, 2001).


Disciplinary Actions Reported to the ASPPB Disciplinary Data System by

Member Boards

August 1983 - January 2005 Total = 3303 Total in Summary of top 10 = 2,762 Difference between Total and Summary

result of some jurisdictions not reporting reasons or the reason reported does not fall into one of Top 10 categories

2000 to 2005 = 768 reported actions

10

REPORTED DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS August 1983 - January 2005

Sexual/Dual Relationship with patient 842 30.49% Unprofessional/unethical/negligent prac 823 29.80% Conviction of crimes 252 9.12% Fraudulent acts 173 6.26% Improper/inadequate record keeping 148 5.36% Breach of confidentiality 124 4.49% Inadequate or improper supervision 121 4.38% Failure to comply with CE requirements 121 4.38% Impairment 108 3.91% Fraud in application for license 50 1.81% TOTAL 2,762 100%


Recommendations

Adequate and accurate data collection is essential within jurisdictions and by ASPPB

More complete data on violations can inform on needed continuing education and/or training in preparation for licensure

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Determine the best close for your audience and your presentation. Close with a summary; offer options; recommend a strategy; suggest a plan; set a goal. Keep your focus throughout your presentation, and you will more likely achieve your purpose.

12

Recommendations Increase awareness and understanding of the

vulnerability to impairment, such as those by the APA Advisory Committee on Colleague Assistance, further the goals of prevention and appropriate intervention

Opportunities for supervision, collaboration,

mentoring, and consultation reduce isolation and increase awareness Encourage

mentoring/collaboration/consultation Supervision, training, and CE influence

attention to ethical behavior


Licensing Board Blues Fact or Fiction?

FACT: Very few psychologists are found in violation

Conclusion: Self-assessment and awareness of the risk of misconduct is critical

It is good for psychology to be attentive to consumer protection

Documents

Psychology Licensing Board Disciplinary Actions · Psychology Licensing Board Disciplinary Actions Barbara A. Van Horne, MBA, Ph.D. APA Convention August 2005 . Frequently, presenters