Implementing Efficient Systems to Monitor Competency-Based Supervision in Rural Psychology Training Programs

Rural populations face challenges receiving mental health treatment due to a shortage of providers and high turnover rates. Further, trainees typically participate in urban rather than rural training centers and often remain located where they train. Supervision via synchronous video-based communications, or telesupervision, may help increase the availability of supervisors in rural settings. There is ample research on telemental health, yet data regarding telesupervision is limited. While there is a gap in systematic approaches to ensuring the quality of supervision is maintained, telesupervision use is increasing. This project examined in-person and telesupervision via use of a competency-based supervision monitoring system within rural clinical psychology training programs. This paper argues for using a competency-based supervision model in psychology training programs and how the data management system developed for an implementation–effectiveness project assessing telesupervision use in seven VA training sites supports such a model. This project collected data monthly about telesupervision use, program-level data including professional competency ratings, and patient treatment and outcomes. The data collection system employed is used to outline the needs and associated solutions that help programs develop, monitor, and improve a competency-based approach to telesupervision. The use of automation and metrics can provide programs with the necessary supervision oversight information that can be implemented using low-burden and low-cost strategies. The paper concludes with best practices for utilizing a monitoring system to maintain the quality of training and clinical care when implementing new technology such as telesupervision. Findings further support the application of the monitoring system across healthcare training programs and supervision modalities.