Psychological readiness of clinical psychology students for work in the healthcare system: Challenges and prospects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33910/2686-9527-2025-7-3-353-367Keywords:
psychological readiness, clinical psychology, healthcare system, professional training of students, medical universityAbstract
Introduction. The integration of psychological services into the Russian healthcare system emphasizes the importance of clinical psychology students’ readiness for professional work in medical institutions. This study assesses students’ psychological readiness to work in the healthcare system and identifies key factors influencing their professional adaptation.
Materials and Methods. The study involved 82 5th- and 6th-year students of the Clinical Psychology Faculty at Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University. An original questionnaire was developed to assess readiness for work in medical institutions, covering motivation, professional skills, and expectations regarding future work. Data were analyzed using StatTech v. 4.8.0.
Results. The overall psychological readiness score averaged 6.60 ± 2.04 on a 10-point scale. Readiness was highest for work in private clinics and lowest for hospices. Statistically significant differences were observed across students’ areas of specialization: students in Psychological Assistance in Crisis and Extreme Situations reported higher readiness for adult outpatient clinics and rehabilitation centers, whereas Child Clinical Psychology students reported greater readiness for children’s hospitals and women’s health clinics. Key challenges identified by students included low salaries, limited understanding of a psychologist’s role by patients and medical staff, and risk of emotional burnout.
Conclusion. The findings underscore the need to enhance practical training in clinical psychology programs, as well as develop a mentoring and supervision system. The results may inform the development of educational programs to improve students’ professional readiness for work in the healthcare system, ultimately contributing to higher-quality psychological care in medical institutions.
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