Abstract
The skills and training medical family therapists need to be effective in their work is an underdeveloped area in the literature.
Training programs in Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) currently vary in duration, intensity, and focus of material and most
of this is due to the minimal research done on what core competencies are needed. The results presented in this paper are
the product of a larger modified Delphi (Dalkey in Studies in the quality of life, Lexington Books, Lexinton, MA, 1972) study designed to reach consensus regarding the current definition, scope, and practice of MedFT. Thirty-seven experts in
MedFT participated in this two-phase investigation. What resulted and will be reported on in this article are the training
requirements and recommended core competencies for the practice of MedFT. Participants indicated that 12 academic course content
areas and 13 core competencies should be required of those seeking training in MedFT. Recommendations for MedFT core competencies
at the master’s, post master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as advancements for future research, are described in detail.
Training programs in Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) currently vary in duration, intensity, and focus of material and most
of this is due to the minimal research done on what core competencies are needed. The results presented in this paper are
the product of a larger modified Delphi (Dalkey in Studies in the quality of life, Lexington Books, Lexinton, MA, 1972) study designed to reach consensus regarding the current definition, scope, and practice of MedFT. Thirty-seven experts in
MedFT participated in this two-phase investigation. What resulted and will be reported on in this article are the training
requirements and recommended core competencies for the practice of MedFT. Participants indicated that 12 academic course content
areas and 13 core competencies should be required of those seeking training in MedFT. Recommendations for MedFT core competencies
at the master’s, post master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as advancements for future research, are described in detail.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s10591-012-9191-9
- Authors
- Lisa E. Tyndall, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Jennifer L. Hodgson, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Angela L. Lamson, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Mark White, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Sharon M. Knight, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Journal Contemporary Family Therapy
- Online ISSN 1573-3335
- Print ISSN 0892-2764