Administrative Order No. 1, s. 2003 Section III, 2. Specific
Guidelines, 2.7, 2.7.1 states: A full time psychologist registered
with the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services (BHFS) shall take the
full responsibility of the psychological screening and evaluation which
includes the following battery of psychological tests: 1) Draw a Person
Test (DAPT) or House Tree Person Test 2) Sack s Sentence Completion
Test (SSCT) 3) Bender Gestalt Motor Visual Test 4) Raven s Progressive
Matrices or Purdue Non Language Test.
These tests are still valid for use in the conduct of psychological
examination for overseas work applicants until further notice from the
Department of Health. However, there are some points to consider when
using projective tests like DPAT and SSCT. Projective tests rely so
greatly on subjective interpretations by clinicians and are open to a
number of interpretative biases. There is a tendency to over-interpret
projective-test data without sufficient empirical foundation.
Furthermore, persons qualified to administer and interpret DAPT require a
master s degree and a course in the psychological assessment as its
minimum qualifications. As a result, psychologists without said
qualifications working in medical facilities for overseas workers and
seafarers are advised to use the 16 Personality Factors test, Filipino
version, in lieu of the DAPT and the SSCT.
In view of the above, since projective tests require skilled and
trained administrators familiar with both the theory and structure of
the tests, only psychologists with appropriate level of training should
score and interpret responses. This qualification is consistent with the
guidelines set forth in Standards for Educational and Psychological
Testing.
The BHFS in coordination with the National Center for Mental Health
shall regularly review the minimum requirements in the conduct of
psychological tests for overseas work applicants. Updates and training
for psychologists administering tests for overseas work applicants shall
be posted at the DOH website www.doh.gov.ph.
This Order shall take effect immediately.
Adopted: 28 Feb. 2009
(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE III, M.D., MSc
Secretary of Health