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<\/figure>In the workplace, I would soon get access to a shared desktop computer with a glowing green screen,\u00a0 and a CPU (central processing unit)\u00a0 as high as my desk with a slot for floppy discs. Mobile phones were available but impractical because they were the size of bricks. I don\u2019t believe social media and cancel culture were even on the radar. Most of us were unaware of any divisive identity politics in the professional world.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
What seemed important then was listening carefully with the third ear, making clinical formulations based on sound theoretical foundations, and applying the right techniques within professional relationships that were based on trust and authenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast forward, after about 20 years, I took a position at the College, where I am reminded every day that good helpers are still trying to help alleviate suffering but are now doing that in an environment of virtual services, cloud technology, artificial intelligence, and other technical \u2018advances\u2019. They must also navigate ever-changing legislation and deal with what seems like an unprecedented lack of public and professional civility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what does competent care mean now and what makes for the kind of practitioner you would consider sending someone you care about to?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The College often uses the language of \u2018knowledge, skill and judgment as the ingredients of competence. Intuitively, knowledge and skill are relatively simpler to address and typically reflect what we get from graduate school, high quality supervision and robust continuing professional development. Optimizing professional judgment is not as easy to chart. Not surprisingly, my own strong anecdotal observation at the College is that most of the difficulties registrants encounter are more closely related to judgment, than to knowledge or skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The American Psychological Association (APA) Dictionary of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø (2024) defines judgment as the capacity to recognize relationships, draw conclusions from evidence, and make critical evaluations of events and people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some good ideas about enhancing the quality of one\u2019s judgment can be borrowed from the business world. Sir Andrew Likierman, professor of management practice at London Business School (cited in Aon website 2020) defines judgment in simple terms as \u201cthe ability to combine personal qualities with \u201crelevant knowledge and experience to form opinions and take decisions.\u201d He provides the following suggestions for enhancing judgment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Being aware of our own \u201cinformation filters,\u201d questioning whether\u00a0 the information fits with our experience,\u00a0 and\u00a0 seeking additional or better sources, where necessary<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Attending to the quality of the information and the value of seeking a diversity of opinions and information, rather than looking for an \u201cecho chamber, all while considering the credibility of information sources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Thinking about\u00a0 what went right and wrong with past decisions, particularly those made in stressful times<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Understanding one\u2019s own biases and seeking the input of an objective third party where necessary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Not accepting what seems at first to be the obvious option<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Understanding that a decision itself isn\u2019t the final step, but implementation is also critical to finding success.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Likierman cites economist John Maynard Keynes who said \u2018When facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir? Likierman says \u201cSticking to something regardless of the facts is one of the best-known biases giving rise to poor judgment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most registrants can, with relative ease, figure out the path toward enhanced knowledge and skill by thoughtfully accessing educational and other experiential pathways. The good judgment to use that knowledge and skill for the betterment of clients, society and ourselves requires more of an inward journey that is no less important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Huber, S., (2002). Defining and assessing professional competence. Virtual Mentor American Medical Association Journal of Ethics. Volume 4 (2): 37-39. Accessed on November 27, 2024 from: https:\/\/journalofethics.ama-assn.org\/sites\/joedb\/files\/2022-02\/nlit1-0202.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
APA Dictionary of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø. 2024. Accessed on November 27,2024 from: (https:\/\/dictionary.apa.org\/judgment<\/a> ,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brust-Renck, P., Weldon, R., & Reyna, V. (2021, April 26). Judgment and Decision Making. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø. Retrieved 3 Dec. 2024, from https:\/\/oxfordre.com\/psychology\/view\/10.1093\/acrefore\/9780190236557.001.0001\/acrefore-9780190236557-e-536<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n