APA Observation Standards

Direct observation provides essential information regarding trainees’ development of competencies, as well as the quality of the services provided, that cannot be obtained through other methods. Direct observation allows supervisors to provide a more accurate assessment and evaluation of observable aspects of trainees’ competency development regarding one or more profession-wide and program-specific (if any) competencies associated with that training experience.

The direct observation requirement described in this IR applies to all training experiences that fall under the program’s application of practicum training in IR C-12 D. At minimum, programs are required to conduct one direct observation per evaluation period as described below. In situations in which students complete an extra, elective, non-required practicum, or placement and this experience is considered in the evaluation of a required competency, the training experience must include a direct observation as a part of the evaluation of the experience.

Definitions and Guidelines:

Direct observation includes in-person observation (e.g., in-room or one-way mirror observation of direct service contact), live simultaneous audio-video streaming, or audio or video recording. A training site that does not permit live observation, audio or video recording by policy is not a sufficiently unique circumstance to circumvent this requirement.

The supervisor who is evaluating the trainee’s performance must base part of that evaluation on direct observation. Supervisors conducting direct observation must be appropriately trained, credentialed, and prepared in their discipline and in the health service psychology activities being supervised, legally authorized for independent practice in their jurisdiction, and legally responsible for the direct service being provided. Supervisors who perform the direct observation must be competent in performing the supervised activity, as well as in providing supervision.

Direct observation is required for each practicum evaluation completed. All accredited programs must verify on the evaluation form that direct observation occurs for each evaluation period as defined by the program. In a given evaluation period, a student may complete more than one practicum experience (e.g., separate rotations within a single-semester practicum; student completing two different practica during the same semester). If a separate evaluation is completed for each rotation or setting, each evaluation must include direct observation. If a single evaluation covers all rotations or settings, then a minimum of one direct observation is required.

Per IR C-12 D, it is recognized that supervision on site can be provided by doctoral interns or postdoctoral residents in health service psychology under the supervision of a psychologist appropriately credentialed in the jurisdiction. In these situations, the direct observation requirement may only be met by having the appropriately credentialed supervisor(s), legally responsible for the direct service being provided, conduct

the observation and evaluation. This does not preclude doctoral interns or postdoctoral residents from contributing to the direct observation or evaluation process.

It is not expected that all of the individual competencies (profession-wide or program-specific) would be directly observed during every practicum experience, but rather that the scope of the direct observation would be sufficient to contribute meaningfully to an evaluation of student performance in competencies relevant to that practicum placement.