Abstract
The current workforce lacks enough trained psychologists specializing in geriatric mental health (i.e., geropsychologists) to meet the population's needs. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Geriatric Scholars Program-Psychology Track (GSP-P) targets this gap by providing intensive post-licensure training to enhance geropsychology skills and competencies. Further professional development is offered through an advanced workshop that includes structured independent learning plans (ILPs) with subject matter expert consultation over a 6-month period. To evaluate the program, we conducted a survey that included closed-ended questions for perceptions of learning on a 5-point Likert type scale and open-ended questions to characterize the perception of the ILP experience, local challenges and solutions, and impact on the population level. The response rate was 78.9% among 19 scholars. Scholars strongly agreed that participation in the ILPs improved their geropsychology knowledge (M = 4.8 of 5/strongly agreed) and skills (M = 4.5 of 5). Content analysis of activities completed and challenges was conducted. A rapid thematic analytic approach guided by the Kirkpatrick (2016) learning evaluation model was used to analyze scholars' responses to open-ended prompts. Qualitative findings confirmed a positive reaction to learning, acquisition of new knowledge, skills and competencies, which led to practice change that, in turn, had a positive impact on VHA organizational goals. After completing the ILP, scholars described their commitment to continue and grow in geropsychology training, which suggests that the GSP-P model, with mentored independent learning for continuing professional development, might be expanded within VHA and exported to other healthcare settings.