The education of health psychologists: Quality counts--numbers are dangerous.

Abstract

When Stephen Weiss invited me to be the first speaker at this Conference, he suggested that I might attempt to view the orderly development of health psychology from a broad perspective, including a perspective on the future of psychology in general-as well as the likely relationship of health psychology to other fields of the behavioral sciences. Mature reflection, coming as it so often does after too long a delay, has convinced me that this mandate can only be properly addressed by looking at some specificsspecifics drawn from our recent history and, most particularly, from current observations on the economic state of psychology.A study, however cursory, of the contents of the blue book that has been provided for delegates to this meeting immediately conveys the impression of the emergence of a new direction for psychology, enthusiastically seized by some individuals of initiative, growing rapidly in the number of people becoming involved in it, and, above all, pervaded by a theme of optimism about the extent and attractions of the horizons before us. I hope that this impression is correct for it will mean that the perhaps sober tone of what is to follow may serve to provoke discussion rather than daunt the energies that will surely be required for the tasks ahead.Let me turn first to a scrutiny of the current state of affairs in the training, recruitment, and employment of doctoral level psychologists generally. I do so for two reasons: one is that the present state is the outcome of policies that have been followed within the graduate schools of the country and our national association, and hence may serve to teach us something about the effects of such policies; the other is that our judgments about the employment opportunities for doctoral psychologists in the forthcoming This is an edited version of the paper.delivered.

Psychology's role in the new health care systems: The importance of psychological interventions in primary health care.

“…The future role of psychology as a science and a professional discipline will very much depend on its success in developing psychosocial and behavioral interventions that are generally applicable in health care and could serve as alternatives for medical-technical care, and in developing training methods for health care workers to apply these interventions. Maher's (1983) words express this same idea in a timely way: "Procedures and people whose services ultimately tend to reduce the bottom line for medical care will have a serious role to play in the health care delivery system. "…”

The changing role of psychologists in health maintenance organizations.

“…Psychologists working in HMOs can contribute to the effort to generate support by taking advantage of opportunities to discuss the potential for behavior change programs with colleagues (for example, whenever they are asked to see patients with chronic pain, eating disorders, addictions, etc.). Individual professional relationships are valuable avenues for bringing about system changes (Maher, 1983; Tulkin, in press).…”

A Behavioral Prescription for Promoting Applied Behavior Analysis Within Pediatrics

“…Of course, a strong guild is an important component of any organized professional organization, including psychology, and the direct impact of the guild on efforts to gain entry are likely to be small. However, one cannot discount the protective competition engendered by guilds (Maher, 1983). For example, the recent effort by some psychologists to acquire prescription privileges has been of concern to many physicians.…”