Open AccessPsychological First Aid: A Consensus-Derived, Empirically Supported, Competency-Based Training Model
Author(s) -
O. Lee McCabe,
George S. Everly,
Lisa M. Brown,
Aaron M. Wendelboe,
Nor Hashidah Abd Hamid,
Vicki L. Tallchief,
Jonathan M. Links
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2013.301219
Subject(s) - set (abstract data type) , association (psychology) , psychology , public health , medical education , core competency , professional association , mental health , control (management) , applied psychology , medicine , nursing , public relations , political science , computer science , psychiatry , psychotherapist , business , artificial intelligence , programming language , marketing
Surges in demand for professional mental health services occasioned by disasters represent a major public health challenge. To build response capacity, numerous psychological first aid (PFA) training models for professional and lay audiences have been developed that, although often concurring on broad intervention aims, have not systematically addressed pedagogical elements necessary for optimal learning or teaching. We describe a competency-based model of PFA training developed under the auspices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Association of Schools of Public Health. We explain the approach used for developing and refining the competency set and summarize the observable knowledge, skills, and attitudes underlying the 6 core competency domains. We discuss the strategies for model dissemination, validation, and adoption in professional and lay communities.