A position has opened up on the Advisory Steering Committee for Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA) for a psychologist with expertise related to health behaviors or physical health. The Advisory Steering Committee (ASC) oversees APA’s process for clinical practice guideline development, including selection of topics for guidelines and recommendations of members for guideline development panels. The deadline for submitting nominations is Feb. 28, 2014.
APA began its initiative on clinical practice guidelines in 2010. Guidelines are currently under development for three topics: depression, obesity and PTSD. The ASC will consider both mental and physical health topics for development of future guidelines.
The current membership of the ASC is:
- Patricia A. Areán
University of California, San Francisco - Michelle G. Craske
University of California, Los Angeles - Kermit A. Crawford
Boston University School of Medicine - Steven D. Hollon (Chair)
Vanderbilt University - Daniel R. Kivlahan
Mental Health Services, Veterans Health Administration - Jeffrey J. Magnavita (Vice-Chair)
Glastonbury Psychological Associates - Thomas H. Ollendick
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - Thomas L. Sexton
Indiana University
A vacancy recently opened when Bonnie Spring (Northwestern University) left the committee upon joining APA’s Board of Scientific Affairs (which helps to oversee the ASC). Some of the other current members will be replaced when their terms end in 2014. All future work of the ASC is contingent on availability of funding from APA and other sources.
The call for nominations can be found below. Questions about the call and about APA’s development of clinical practice guidelines can be directed to Raquel Halfond, PhD.
(A note on terminology: “Clinical practice guidelines” are focused on identifying treatments for specific disorders. APA previously called these “treatment guidelines” but made a change in terminology in order to be consistent with other health care organizations. APA also develops “professional practice guidelines,” which address how practice is conducted with particular populations or in particular settings.)
Call for Nominations
Advisory Steering Committee for Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines
American Psychological Association
Nominations of psychologists with expertise related to health behaviors or physical health are invited for an open position on the Advisory Steering Committee for Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA). Nominees should have substantial scientific or clinical background within such fields as health psychology, health behaviors or behavioral medicine.
The work of the Advisory Steering Committee (ASC) includes:
- design and assessment of the policies and procedures by which APA develops clinical practice guidelines;
- selection of topics for development of clinical practice guidelines;
- recommendations to the APA Board of Directors of individuals to serve on clinical practice guideline development panels;
- formulation of policies for commissioning and utilizing independent systematic reviews of empirical research to inform the development of clinical practice guidelines;
- planning of the structure and format of guideline documents and related products; and
- provision of progress reports to the Board of Directors and other APA governance groups.
The ASC provides direction to APA’s overall efforts in clinical practice guideline development, but does not itself engage in the writing of guidelines or the conduct of systematic reviews. It reports to the Board of Directors, with additional oversight by the Board of Professional Affairs (BPA), Board of Scientific Affairs (BSA) and Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (CAPP). Staff from the APA Practice Directorate and Science Directorate support the ASC’s activities.
As currently authorized, the ASC has positions for nine individuals. One position is currently vacant, which this call for nominations seeks to fill. Each member serves for a term of three years, which can be renewed once for a maximum of six years of service. All future work of the ASC is contingent on availability of funding.
ASC members are expected to travel to Washington, D.C., for three meetings per year (generally two ASC meetings and one guideline development panel meeting), participate in monthly conference calls and commit additional time and effort to the ASC as needed.
All nominees should have 10 or more years of professional experience in clinical practice or clinical research (or combination thereof) and documented expertise in the arena of clinical practice guidelines or evidence-based treatment development or implementation. Additionally, nominees should be nationally recognized via publications, professional awards, advanced credentials or involvement in professional organizations. Nominations of individuals who will enhance the diversity of the ASC are encouraged. Nominees should be members of the APA. However, current members of the Board of Directors, BPA, BSA and CAPP are not eligible to serve on the ASC.
In addition to having expertise related to psychological aspects of physical health, candidates should have a strong background in one or more of the following areas:
- Clinical practice guidelines development
- Direct provision of psychological care in diverse practice settings or with diverse populations
- Systematic reviews
- Federal agency policies and programs related to guidelines
- Contemporary methods for evaluation of psychotherapy and assessment processes
- Experience applying clinical practice guidelines in clinical settings
- Experience applying evidence-based practices in clinical settings
- Dissemination/implementation research
- Health care systems finance or administration
- Relevant expertise in research design and statistical analysis
- Public health issues and settings
- Experience with clinical trials
- Comparative effectiveness research
Nominees’ material will be reviewed initially by the ASC and by BPA, BSA and CAPP. A final list of candidates will be submitted to the Board of Directors for it to make a selection and appointment.
Review will include attention to nominees’ areas of expertise, as well as their experience working with diverse patient populations (across race, ethnicity, language, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, class status, education, religious/spiritual orientation and other cultural dimensions, as well as adult, adolescent and child patient populations) and within various clinical settings.
Nomination materials should include a letter from the nominee indicating willingness to serve a three-year term, a brief statement of the nominee's expertise and qualifications related to the criteria described above, and a current curriculum vita. Self-nominations are welcome.
Nominations and supporting materials should be sent via email by Feb. 28, 2014.