Competence
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, FASEP
Professor and Chair
Department of Exercise Physiology
Director of Exercise Physiology
Laboratories
The College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Office
Duluth, MN 55811
What is competence? Is it
as simple as taking blood pressure or supervising a graded exercise test?
Or, maybe professional competence is defined by how many research studies
are published? Anwers to these questions may not be all that simple. Exercise
physiologists have not been that involved in what defines competence. Consequently,
it may take some analysis before we can appreciate that while studying
the physiology of human performance is a complicated undertaking, the process
itself does not warrant professional status.
In short, the competent exercise
physiologist is the person with the critical reflective knowledge, abilities,
and skills to analyze and solve problems skillfully and efficiently. Could
it be that simple? That is, to be a competent entry-level professional
in the health, fitness, and rehabilitation field, all one needs is a strong
academic foundation and good hands-on skills! The answer is NO because
however good an individual is today, he/she can not be a competent professional
without adaptability.
The strength of the competent
practitioner (and thus the profession) lies in continuous adaptability.
Unfortunately, this is precisely the missing piece. Adaptability. Building
it into an organization is one thing; building it into a profession is
another. It is an advanced way of thinking because it requires a new way
of thinking. For example, why is there so little discussion about professional
issues, what constitutes competence, or why exercise physiologists have
not had a professional Code of Ethics? Is it not logical that a competent
exercise physiologist must adhere to a standard of practice?
Being able to think through
who we are and what we do are important professional issues. Anwers to
both questions are critical to understanding and maintaining high levels
of professional competence and credibility. The future of academic exercise
physiology depends not only on the adaptability of the profession, but
also on the ability of the academic professors to accept the responsibility
of directing change.
All exercise physiologists
must commit to adapting and maintaining competence. The key is the willingness
to do what it takes, regardless of the work involved. It is the dedication
to ongoing educational hands-on development and scientific inquiry and
research that separates and defines professional competence.
Dedication and adaptability
are the keys to developing competence in an ever-changing society. We need
to dedicate our efforts to make changes where necessary to be responsible
for our own competence. Part of the change is in assuming the responsibility
for our own national certification, licensure, and accreditation of academic
programs. Another part of the change is our increased adaptability as health,
fitness, and rehabilitation professionals to ensure the professionalization
of exercise physiology.
Professionalization is always
ongoing. It takes into analysis whether licensure, as a popular clinical
concern today is, in reality, more important than certification? There
is some concern with the move by certain state governors to eliminate state
regulatory boards that licensure may not be as important an issue in the
future as it appears to be today. Even with licensure, it may restrict
exercise physiologists to a specific scope of clinical practice. There
is also the question of why exercise physiologists believe that regulation
by certification isn't enough. Is it because physical therapist are licensed
and, therefore, exercise physiologists need to be licensed too? Certifying
exercise physiologists has the advantage over licensure simply because
it is not restrictive. Certification increases the likelihood of employability,
and it is acknowledged by Medicare and other third-party payers.
Certification is a credible
step towards ensuring professional competence. It is academically based
with defined educational credentials. As a result, exercise physiologists
are better prepared to perform effectively and efficiency. The profession
benefits as practitioners are evaluated with follow-up examinations (via
continuing education and peer analysis of hands-on skills). It is also
cost-effective when compared to licensure laws and, in particular, it avoids
the problem of not being licensed in a state other than the state in which
the exercise physiologist is licensed.
Additionally, it is important
to point out that professional credibility (competence) is the 21st century
issue in exercise physiology. In other words, the quest is not to access
regulation because there is some hint that the public needs protection
from exercise physiologists. The benefits to the public are obviously important,
but the point of this article is professional competence. Exercise physiologists
need to differentiate themselves professionally from other health, fitness,
and rehabilitation healthcare providers.
A major step towards differentiation
and professionalization is the recognition of specific professional standards
of work. Of course, the degree to which exercise physiologists identify,
describe, and state ownership of what they believe they do professionally
is and should be the right of exercise physiologists. The need to come
together and work through our differences in what each of us do in our
different fields of work are important to providing competent and ethical
services in exercise physiology.
Exercise physiologists must
maintain their autonomy by regulating what they do from within their own
organization (ASEP). If they don't, managed care, insurers, employers,
other professional forces, the public and so forth will step forward to
validate the exercise physiologists' competence. The process may even result
in significant restrictions and regulations by practitioners of other professions.
However, the likelihood of such a future outcome can be avoided by demonstrating
continued competence through membership and certification programs via
the American Society of Exercise Physiologists.
The credentialing facet of
the Society must continue to adapt to academic developments and professional
concerns to ensure a serious self-regulation of credible exercise physiologists.
The challenge is enormous yet imperative to create certification programs
that are inextricably linked to demonstrated job opportunities and continuing
competence.
In sum, just as professions
continue to evolve and change, maintaining competence is also an ongoing
process. Success depends on adaptability, dedication, and shared decision-making.
A positive attitude towards learning and application is also part of the
checklist for success. Being competent is simply another word for accountability.
The rise of exercise physiology in response to changes in the social environment
has prompted the development of accountability measures. Collectively,
exercise physiologists must work their jobs from a "scientific-based practice"
in applied anatomy and physiology. This point is clear that the exercise
physiologists' distinction from other groups of healthcare workers, who
are still surrounded by a certain controversy over scientific inquiry versus
traditional and/or popularized forms of therapy, is the mastery of scientific
inquiry.
Service
It's
important to join the Society for the right reasons. Probably the most
important reason is a sincere desire to help other exercise physiologists.
To make a difference in the professionalization of exercise physiology
isn't bad either. To change the profession for the better. Excellent! But
it's important to know that, for all the work Society members do, they
also receive a great deal in return. There are practical benefits such
as working with new colleagues to feeling really good about helping the
profession and making a difference.
The
skills that are required of successful service are those required in just
about any organization. The Society allows individuals the opportunity
to develop and to share ideas. It is about creating opportunities, and
becoming a member of a larger community of exercise physiologists. It is
the beginning of the first big step to growing professionally.
To
help you take the first step, please fill out the ASEP Membership
Application located on the ASEP
Table of Contents web site. Submit the completed application to the
ASEP National Office in Duluth, MN. You may also want to submit a copy
of your resume and a copy of your educational transcripts.
Staff
at the National Office will be looking for detailed information about your
education and work experience. Most applicants are accepted into the Society.
A Membership Certificate is completed and sent to you along with an invitation
to commit to different ASEP committees.
Working
on a committee along side other exercise physiologists can be a special
experience. Most memberships also qualify you for additional volunteer
experience. The question is "How far are you willing to go to make a difference?"