Behavioral Health Trainee Satisfaction at the US Department of Veterans Affairs During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the education and training experiences of health care students. Behavioral health trainees were particularly impacted. As a result of the pandemic, psychologists and social workers received minimal opportunities for administering in-person care and establishing rapport with patients as they adjusted to virtual or remote workplace settings. This study sought to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical experiences of behavioral health trainees at US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facilities.

This study analyzed psychology and social work responses to the national VA Trainee Satisfaction Survey, including responses before and during the pandemic. Quantitative (bivariate logistic regression) and qualitative content analyses were completed to determine changes in training satisfaction and likelihood a trainee would consider the VA for future employment.

Behavioral health trainees who reported being satisfied or very satisfied (vs those reporting being dissatisfied or very dissatisfied) dropped from 94.8% prepandemic to 93.2% during the pandemic (n = 1555) (P = .04; 95% CI, -3.10 to -0.08). Trainee dissatisfaction centered on the onboarding process, an inadequate number of workspaces and computers, and perceptions of insufficient support in the work environment. While satisfaction decreased, the reported likelihood that behavioral health trainees would consider future employment with the VA was not impacted.

Understanding the VA trainee experience is important for identifying how to improve behavioral health care professional education and training. This study suggests potential areas of concern that can be addressed during future public health emergencies.