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Since
the inception of The American Academy of Experts
in Traumatic Stress, our literature has delineated
a primary objective of the Academy, "...to
establish a standard for professionals, across
disciplines, who regularly work with survivors
of traumatic events." Because this is a
core objective of our association, a discussion
concerning the mechanism that the Academy utilizes
to award Board Certification and the Diplomate
Credential seems warranted.
During the last year, the Academy's
application and examination process has undergone
a number of changes. And I am pleased to report
that newly introduced Version 6.0 has been well
received by professionals, from diverse fields,
around the world! Our primary goal in developing
6.0 was to increase the validity of our evaluative
tool for determining that an individual has
achieved a standard and is qualified as a credentialed
expert in traumatic stress.
Several members have written
to the Academy's administrative offices suggesting
that independent examinations be given to individuals
in different professions. This would be a formidable
task for an association that is comprised of
professionals from over one hundred different
specialties! Notwithstanding, the Administrative
Board has resisted this option, maintaining
the posture that professionals, across disciplines,
must all be held to an established standard.
This is particularly true for caregivers who
promote themselves as experts in traumatic stress.
As indicated in our literature,
membership in the Academy demonstrates a commitment
to the field. It is the first step in a sequential
process aimed at identifying genuine expertise.
All new members, as well as members in good
standing who have not already elected to pursue
Board Certification, will receive a copy of
Version 6.0.
The Academy defines an expert
as an individual with extensive knowledge, experience
and education related to the field of traumatic
stress. This definition was adopted in part
from Federal Rule 702, which stipulates that
an individual may qualify as an expert in the
eyes of the court by virtue of his/her knowledge,
skill, experience, training or education. Version
6.0 requires candidates to write brief essays
describing their experience in working with
survivors of traumatic events as well as their
education related to the field. Specific guidelines
are offered to assist candidates in this endeavor.
This information is evaluated in concert with
supporting documentation. Finally, the applicant¹s
performance on a multiple-choice examination
enables the Academy to assess the applicant¹s
knowledge of the literature.
The Academy developed an extensive
question bank which is based directly on the
literature related to the field of traumatic
stress. Included in this cache are numerous
questions created by candidates for Board Certification
and the Diplomate Credential. Additionally,
a list of content areas to be covered on the
examination was generated. Ultimately, each
of these areas was represented and assessed
by related questions. Statistical analyses,
including an item analysis, were conducted on
all questions included in previous versions
of the examination. In Version 6.0 considerable
effort was given to developing and utilizing
questions that incorporated practical situations
faced by professionals across disciplines. Finally,
members of the Academy's Board of Scientific
& Professional Advisors were directly involved
in the development of 6.0. Members were asked
to provide input, across a number of dimensions.
Additionally, suggestions from previous candidates
for Board Certification were entertained and
often utilized.
During the last year, representatives
from insurance carriers and managed care companies
frequently contacted our administrative offices
to inquire whether a particular doctor was a
credentialed expert with the Academy -- evidence
that our voices are being heard and that The
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
has established a recognized standard in the
field. Ultimately, it is the aim of the Academy
to have all qualified members demonstrate that
they have achieved this standard, and are truly
experts in traumatic stress.
Editor's Note: If you wish
to receive a new copy of the Application and
Examination for Board Certification and the
Diplomate Credential (Version 6.0), please write,
telephone or send E-mail to (info@aaets.org)
the Academy's administrative offices.
©1997 by
The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic
Stress, Inc. |
