Gatekeeping in the Practicum: What Field Instructors Need to Know

Abstract

Gatekeeping is a process in professional education de- signed to ensure that those who graduate are capable of interacting with clients, colleagues, and the community in an ethical and competent man- ner. Field instructors and clinical supervisors, as partners in the educa- tional process, carry gatekeeping responsibilities as well as teaching and mentoring and yet receive little training for this critical function. The framework presented in this paper offers field instructors and supervi- sors a systematic way of preparing for gatekeeping. It also provides guid- ance to professional programs for developing training. The framework addresses macro, mezzo and micro level gatekeeping knowledge and skills related to the practicum. (Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: © 2001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.)