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Clinical training and the duty to protect *
Author(s) -
Tolman Anton O.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/bsl.448
Subject(s) - internship , training (meteorology) , liability , risk management , medical education , risk assessment , poison control , human factors and ergonomics , conceptual model , psychology , duty , professional development , medicine , applied psychology , knowledge management , computer science , medical emergency , computer security , business , political science , physics , finance , database , meteorology , law
Given that the duty to protect is now a well established clinical and legal expectation, training in professional psychology should assist students in developing conceptual models for violence risk assessment and management. This report presents a training model incorporating recent advancements in risk assessment (such as the assessment of psychopathy), the need for basic legal understanding, and knowledge of specific risk management strategies. Additionally, academic and internship training programs in Michigan were surveyed by telephone about current training patterns. Preliminary results indicated program strengths in general awareness and training in risk factors. However, the data also suggested a need to formalize a faculty role in risk education, improve the training of students in relevant legal information, and establish coherent conceptual models of dealing with potential patient violence. It is argued that improving training of future professionals in this way will improve clinical practice, reduce legal liability, and improve public safety. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.