| 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. |
