Technology, professional practice, and ethics: Survey findings and implications.

If a psychologist loses treatment records because of a computer failure, is it an ethical violation? The widespread growth of technology has outpaced the development of ethical standards for questions such as this, resulting in areas of uncertainty for psychologists. Four hundred twenty psychologists in independent practice rated the ethicality and their frequency of using 40 technologies. Technologies pertaining to the support functions of a psychologist's office are commonly used, but those technologies directly affecting clinical services are rarely used. more than half of the 40 items received equivocal ratings on ethicality, suggesting psychologists need guidelines and training for the use of technology in professional practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teaching evidence-based interventions: Perceptions of influences on use in professional practice in school psychology.

This study examined perceptions of school psychologists regarding their use of evidence-based interventions in school settings after completing a graduate course in school-based psychosocial interventions. Ninety-four individuals who completed the course during the 10 years prior to the study were asked to complete a survey that focused on personal and organizational factors affecting the implementation of evidence-based interventions through assessment of (a) the extent of their use of interventions in professional school psychology practice, (b) perceptions of facilitators to implementation, and (c) perceptions of barriers to implementation. Fifty-four responded (a 57% response rate); analyses were conducted on the responses of 34 individuals who indicated that they were currently school psychologists working in schools. Results indicated that school psychologists’ personal beliefs about the interventions influenced their decisions to implement them. Several evidence-based interventions were less likely to be used in urban practice settings. Training in evidence-based interventions should address the personal and contextual issues that are related to implementation, as well as the procedures of the interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Internet versus the telephone: What is telehealth anyway?

How extensive is health care service delivery via the Internet? Should all practicing professional psychologists immediately acquire audio and video Internet capability so they can interact with their patients via this modality? Five hundred and ninety-six practicing psychologists responded to a survey about their use of the telephone and the Internet in their professional practices. Use of the telephone in the delivery of clinical services was nearly universal. However, only 2% of respondents had utilized the Internet or satellite technology in the delivery of health care. Nonetheless, routine use of such technology in service delivery is expected to increase as the technology becomes more universally available and regularly used. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impact of computers on professional practice: A survey of current practices and attitudes.

Surveyed 227 practicing psychologists to explore the impact of computers on the everyday practice of psychology and practitioners' attitudes toward specific uses of computers. Whereas more than half of the respondents reported using computers in their practices, most restricted their use to clerical applications. Few practitioners used their computer for more clinical applications. Reasons most frequently reported for not using computers related to lacking the necessary skills and experience and to financial considerations. Overall, practitioners had positive attitudes toward a variety of specific applications of computers. Implications of these findings for facilitating the appropriate use of computers by practitioners are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Job satisfaction among school psychologists: A meta-analysis.

Meta-analytic techniques were used to analyze data from a collection of school psychologist job satisfaction studies that were conducted between 1982 and 1999. Eight studies, all of which used the Modified Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (m-MSQ) to measure job satisfaction among school psychologists, were included in the analysis. Two national studies and six state studies totaling 2,116 participants were analyzed. Results indicated that nearly 85% of school psychologists were satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs. School psychologists were most satisfied with their relationships with coworkers, the opportunity to stay busy on the job, the opportunity to work independently, and the opportunity to be of service to others. School psychologists were least satisfied with compensation, school policies and practices, and advancement. Findings were generally consistent between state and national studies, and between 1980s and 1990s studies. Results offered some evidence that overall job satisfaction may be related to state school psychology organization membership and to the opportunity to expand and influence the role of the school psychologist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Casebook for providers of psychological services.

Three cases illuminate quality assurance problems and pertinent principles and policies for managing them in the areas of clinical, industrial/organizational, and school psychology. The 1st involves a psychologist who routinely required clients to complete the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) at home and had the tests scored and interpreted by a computerized service. In the 2nd, psychologists decided to discontinue the use of an unvalidated computer interpretation of the MMPI in screening for a business. In the 3rd, a school psychologist violated ethical and professional principles by selling his own unvalidated computerized test scoring and interpretation service. In each case, applicable policies, specialty guidelines, and ethical principles and their interpretation are discussed, together with the educative ramifications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Technology and independent practice: Survey findings and implications.

Today's rapid rate of technology change introduces both opportunities and challenges for psychologists. A Technology and Practice Questionnaire was sent to 1000 psychologists in independent practice, half of whom were contacted by e-mail and the other half by U.S. mail. A total of 237 of the 433 deliverable surveys sent by U.S. mail were returned (54.7% response rate), but only 49 of the 458 deliverable surveys sent by e-mail (12.9% response rate). Respondents were asked to rate the frequency of 51 behaviors in their practice and to indicate whether the behavior is ethical. The results suggest a relatively low rate of technology use among independent practitioners and a high degree of ethical uncertainty regarding the use of various technologies in practice. Implications for training and practice are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

How are psychologists using computers?

Surveyed 270 members of a psychological association to evaluate the status of computer applications in clinical practice and research, focusing on the kinds of computers and programs in use, problems encountered, concerns about computer usage in psychology, and developing trends. 222 Ss indicated that they used computers. 55% used them for direct clinical applications, while over 90% used them for nonclinical purposes (e.g., research, administration). 94% used microcomputers. Findings point to the growing influence of computer technology in psychology and the need for professional standards and improved communication among computer users. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychologist as general family practitioner.

Responses from 1,412 psychologists in United States, who indicated that private practice is their full-time occupation, showed that over 90% of them have been seeing different members of families for different reasons at different times over a period of years. Initially a child may have been seen for poor school adjustment; a year later one of the parents may have sought therapy for depression, and some years later a child may have come for college counseling. Such psychologists are functioning as general family practitioners or family psychologists. A review of theoretical orientation and geographical locations, as well as length of time in practice, suggests that this type of functioning is quite widespread among private practitioners. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Telehealth issues in consulting psychology practice.

Consulting psychologists have recognized the importance of providing comprehensive consultation and clinical services for consumers with special needs. Often because of distance and access to consultation services, remote and underserved populations may not have the necessary access to consultant specialists in psychology and other disciplines. Such services are now available through an innovative model of telehealth. Telehealth technology and services have gained the attention of scientists, clinicians, consultants, and health educators in a variety of settings. Examined are consultation case scenarios using telehealth qualitative observations of consultants who have used telehealth and liability issues consultants may face using this technology. A model release of liability is provided for consulting psychologists who may consider its use in their consultation practice. Case examples using telehealth applications are discussed, as are special applications for health care delivery to undeserved rural populations using telehealth technology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multicultural experiences of U.S. military psychologists: Current trends and training target areas.

This study provides the first quantification of the multicultural experiences of U.S. military psychologists. The importance of multicultural competence cannot be overemphasized given that military psychologists now practice all over the world and are expected to treat active-duty personnel, their family members, and individuals encountered from many different countries. Additionally, a small, but significant portion of enlisted military members are not U.S. citizens. Provision of services to this diverse group can be improved through efforts to enhance the multicultural competence of military providers. To better understand the multicultural experience base of military psychologists, the authors sent a survey to all contactable active-duty U.S. military psychologists (i.e., 367). Eighty-six individuals responded to a survey regarding their experiences with active-duty personnel, U.S. civilians, and civilians from other countries. Also, respondents provided quantitative information regarding working with detainees, using interpreters, and interacting with patients from diverse religious backgrounds. Results indicated rich and varied multicultural experiences with definite trends, which can assist individual psychologists and military training program development. Recommended training target areas for military psychologists at all levels are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training for substance abuse treatment among psychologists in a rural state.

Is treating substance abuse generally a part of psychological practice? Do psychologists feel prepared to deliver substance abuse treatment? Licensed psychologists in Idaho were surveyed about their training and provision of substance abuse services. Of 144 respondents (66% return rate), nearly all (89%) had contact with substance abusers, yet most rated their graduate training as inadequate preparation for practice. Rural psychologists reported seeing the highest percentage of substance abusers. Many psychologists limited their treatment to self-help group referral. Continuing education offers the most immediate solution and might be related to certification efforts. Predoctoral training of generalist psychologists, especially in rural areas, is advocated with an emphasis on integrated behavioral health care. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The March issue on instrumentation.

Asserts that technology is available for psychologists to use the small digital computer as a means of generating complex acoustical signals. Artificial speech work is an example of the use of the computer as a digital-to-analog device. Sensory processing research can benefit from this technology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attitude of clinicians toward use of computers in hospital settings.

Reports describing the application of computer technology suggest that mental health professionals have a predominantly hostile attitude toward computerized information systems. This study explored the attitudes of a group of psychologists and psychiatrists toward use of computers in hospital settings. Their perception of a computer-assisted interview procedure was compared with that of a routine manual system of collecting information on children and adolescents attending a mental health service. The study also investigated the impact of the computer-assisted interview procedure on clinicians' attitudes toward the general use of computers in hospital settings. The computer-assisted interview was generally perceived favorably by clinicians, whereas the problem of resistance toward computers by mental health professionals, frequently described in anecdotal reports, was not identified in this study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Opinions and use of psychological tests: A survey of clinical psychologists.

Conducted a survey of clinical psychologists, selected from Division 12 of the American Psychological Association, about their use and opinions of psychological tests. 500 psychologists were mailed questionnaires; the return rate was 50.1%. Results show that both objective and projective tests are used by clinical psychologists of all major therapeutic orientations with substantial percentages of clients. Clinicians indicated that personal clinical experience with a test was more important in their test-use decisions than pragmatic or psychometric considerations. In fact, clinicians repeatedly emphasized the subjective, insightful, and experiential nature of the testing process. Although the psychometric limitations of tests were recognized, tests were considered more valuable than suggested by reliability and validity studies, which were typically considered flawed or inaccurate. It is concluded that clinicians are probably unaffected by negative testing research because (a) there are strong needs to assess, (b) clinicians accord personal clinical experience greater weight than experimental evidence, and (c) there are few practical alternatives to tests. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Practice Patterns Across the Clinical Life Span: Results From the California Survey of Psychological Practice.

Recent surveys among psychologists and historical accounts of the profession document important practice pattern differences among psychologists on the basis of years of postlicensure experience. Evidence for these differences across 4 groups of psychologists was examined from responses to the 2000 California Survey of Psychological Practice. Psychologists with fewer than 5 years of experience were found to treat on a weekly basis a greater percentage of patients with childhood disorders and substance abuse disorders and to spend a greater percentage of practice time in public health and/or mental health settings than other psychologists. No differences were found in the use of 3 dominant forms of psychotherapy. The implications of these results for practicing psychologists, graduate faculty and students, and representatives of state psychological associations are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological practice and managed care: Results of the CAPP practitioner survey.

Practicing members of the American Psychological Association (APA) were surveyed regarding their work settings, activities, and greatest professional concerns in the managed care era. Results from 15,918 licensed psychologists indicated that half were full-time independent practitioners engaged principally in psychotherapy and assessment and another third were in part-time private practice. Four out of five reported a negative impact of managed care on their practices. Concerns about changes to practice and ethical dilemmas as a result of managed care policies were common to all settings. Relatively few differences were apparent between earlier and more recent generations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological test usage: Implications in professional psychology.

Do psychological assessments require more time than third parties and managed care are willing to reimburse? A survey of clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists was conducted to evaluate the current uses of psychological assessment instruments. Respondents reported their use of tests for 8 different areas of assessment, the average time spent in performing various assessment services and other assessment practices. Results suggested that a majority of neuropsychologists devote a substantial portion of their time to assessment, but only 12% of clinical psychologists reported spending more than 10 hr in assessment-related practice each week. The authors describe the typical time required to administer, score, and interpret various tests and assessments; factors that affect the time required to conduct assessments; and provide a current ranking of the most frequently used assessments in clinical and neuropsychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factors That Influence Fee Setting by Male and Female Psychologists.

What factors influence how psychologists in private practice set fees for self-pay clients? An anonymous survey in one county showed that male and female clinical psychologists did not differ in fees requested for services to self-pay clients, indicating that they equally value their time and work effort. They felt that their fees were strongly influenced by personal and local factors (i.e., education/qualifications, business experience, and local competition). Female psychologists indicated that local competition had a significantly greater influence on fee setting than did male psychologists. This perception among female psychologists might arise from competition with the larger number of nondoctoral therapists, who are predominately female, or from higher awareness through more active networking. The usefulness of this model for studies of self-employment is highlighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impact of clinical information systems on nursing practice. Nurses' perspectives

This article adds to the literature on the impact of computerized clinical information systems by asking nurses important questions about their nursing practices. A research tool was developed from collaborative work with clinicians who have used computers in their daily practice for more than two decades. A statewide study then was conducted on how nurses believed computer technology impacted their practice. This study also examined the different views that computer users and nonusers held. Questions were posed relating to resource consumption, nursing work practices, and professional and patient outcomes. It was found that nurses, whether computer naive or knowledgeable, clearly do not expect the technology to have negative impact on practice. The two groups differed mostly in the strength of their beliefs. One startling outcome, that slow computer response time delayed care, was identified within the computer-user group and direct action was taken as a result.