Commentary: Goldilocks Revisited: Do We Need More Practice Competencies in Pediatric Psychology?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Palliative Care
• Clinical Child Psychology
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• The Thompson et al. competencies framework is the third set of guidelines for pediatric palliative care.
• There is an ongoing tension between generalist training in clinical child psychology and specialized pediatric psychology training.
• This tension impacts teaching, training, and patient care within the field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To raise awareness and stimulate discussion on integrating specialized skills in pediatric palliative care.
• To address the increasing trend towards specialization and siloed practices in pediatric psychology.
• To explore the optimal balance between broad and narrow practice skills.

Main Methods:

• This is an invited commentary, not an empirical study.
• The commentary synthesizes existing literature and expert opinion.
• It focuses on conceptual analysis and discussion.

Main Results:

• The commentary identifies a critical need for discussion on specialization in pediatric psychology.
• It highlights the potential challenges of increasing specialization on interdisciplinary care.
• The need for a balanced approach to training and practice is emphasized.

Conclusions:

• Further dialogue is essential to navigate the complexities of specialization in pediatric palliative care.
• A balanced approach to training is crucial for maintaining high-quality patient care and effective education.
• The field must proactively address the trend towards specialization to avoid fragmentation.