Psychologists' medical staff membership in academic healthcare: Past, present, and future challenges.

Abstract

Medical staff membership has important implications for psychologists in academic medical settings for clinical practice and parity. This study surveyed 311 psychologists practicing in academic health centers about their status on the medical or professional staff, institutional privileges and governance, and other issues relevant to practice in medical settings. Data from the survey revealed that only 36.7% of respondents held full membership on the medical staff of their facility, 22.9% were classified as allied health staff, 14.5% were limited members of the medical staff, and 13.8% fell within a category of professional staff The advent of health care reform and a call for interprofessional collaboration provides a renewed opportunity for psychologists to continue to advocate for full medical staff membership in the same way as physicians, dentists, and podiatrists. Without ongoing efforts and advocacy, medical staff membership for some psychologists could be abridged and the role of psychologists in the new developing health reform organizations could be eclipsed or attenuated.

Psychologists in medical schools and academic medical centers: Over 100 years of growth, influence, and partnership.

“…As part of a series of explorations of the professional affairs (i.e., hospital privileges, board certification, and professional status) of psychologists in AHCs and teaching hospitals (Hong, Robiner, Dixon, & Miner, 2012; Robiner, Dixon, Miner, & Hong, 2010, 2012), a study approved by the University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board, we surveyed psychologists working within AHCs (via SurveyMonkey™) regarding their activities within medical schools (see Robiner et al, 2010, for further description of the methodology and sample) 2 . Looking specifically at a subgroup of medical school psychologists ( N = 182), Figure 2 reveals that psychologists are now well integrated in diverse medical school departmental structures including heterogeneously named mental health departments (e.g., Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Psychology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences), other clinical departments (e.g., Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Surgery), and basic science departments (e.g., Neuroscience).…”

“…The clinical roles that psychologists play in medical schools and teaching hospitals are diverse, contributing to both the patient care mission and the financial strength of the institutions. Psychologists are routinely granted a broad range of privileges in teaching hospitals (Robiner et al, 2010) and are members of their medical or professional staffs (Hong et al, 2012). The AAMC has designated interprofessional practice as a key strategic area of focus (Blue, Mitcham, Smith, Raymond, & Greenberg, 2010).…”

Introduction to the Special Section: Leadership in Academic Health Centers, and Role of the Association of American Medical Colleges

“…Their view highlights another central theme throughout this issue, namely, psychology adds unique value-and this is true whether psychology is viewed as peripheral to or is well-integrated into the AHC cultural tradition (Garcia-Shelton & Leventhal, 2005;Hong, Robiner, Dixon, & Miner, 2012). From the vantage point of multicultural psychology, one can describe the challenge for psychology as one of accommodation or adaptation, rather than assimilation (Berry, 1997).…”

Psychologists in Academic Health Centers and Medical Centers: Being Visible, Relevant and Integral

“…Even CAS members from medical schools with active and research-intensive Psychology faculty believed that their school was a rare exception. Some were simply stunned that many psychologists were active members of the medical or professional staff (Hong, Robiner, Dixon, & Miner, 2011) and held appointments as deans, vice-chancellors for research or education, division heads and institute directors (Robiner et al, 2014).…”