The purposes of psychology curricula in medical education.

Among the general objectives of psychological instruction in medical education are providing sound conceptual backgrounds in general psychology, growth and development, motivation and emotion. A second objective would be "a program of theoretical and practical training in such professional skills as interviewing, observing, gaining and maintaining rapport, interacting in transference relationships… ." The role of the psychologist on a medical school faculty and problems of psychological instruction in graduate medical education are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The importance of professional psychology: A view from managed care.

Over the past 15 years, the development of managed health care has led to changes in the way that psychology is practiced and in the ways that quality is measured in the health care system. In this article, the current status of population-based Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set quality metrics are reviewed. Many medical measures of quality have improved in the past 5 years, whereas behavioral health measures have shown only modest improvement. Reasons for this finding are discussed, and it is suggested that quality of care for individuals and populations could improve as psychology adopts evidenced-based practice and clinical practice guidelines. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The future of the master's degree in psychology: A view from the outside.

Comments on the plight of those seeking admittance to doctoral training programs in clinical psychology, as described by L. V. Annis et al (1978), from the perspective of one who recently completed the application process without success. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An update on medical psychology and behavioral medicine.

Recent definitional developments have required a reevaluation of the term "medical psychology," expecially as it relates to the newly emerging interdisciplinary field of behavioral medicine. It is proposed that medical psychology should now most logically be considered as only one of many contributing specialties within the larger discipline of psychology that, along with other disciplines, converge to form behavioral medicine. A schematic representation of these relationships is proposed with special emphasis placed on the content areas (knowledge and techniques) through which the various disciplines interface. Recent organizational developments aimed at providing psychologists with more structured forums for political representation and ideal sharing are also discussed. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The behavioral sciences and survival.

"World peace is the world's Number 1 priority. Reduction of tension is an indispensable precondition to an enduring peace." Many challenges in human relations exist including deep racial tension, problems of elderly retired citizens, frequent crimes of violence, labor-management bitterness, job displacement anxiety, and high rate of high school dropouts; answers are required to such great social problems. A nuclear sword hangs over mankind. "The behavioral sciences can help us resolve the awesome dilemmas we face." Our destiny must not be mutual annihilation. "There can be no more important mission for the behavioral sciences than contributions to human survival." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mental health and behavioral sciences: One federal agency's role in the behavioral sciences.

Presents a historical overview of the role of the National Institute of Mental Health in developing and using the behavioral sciences as the substantive base of its various programs of research, training and services. Major themes of research programs are illustrated with special reference to schizophrenia, brain-behavior relations, small-group interaction, collective behavior, and adaptation in stress. Training program development in the various mental health specialties is also described. Innovative models of interdisciplinary research training, involving the biological, psychological and social sciences are recommended to respond to complex research challenges in the mental health field. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A view of rehabilitation psychology.

Presents 12 questions and answers which examine the role of rehabilitation psychology in dealing with the problems of deprived and disabled people. Emphasis is placed on emotional and intellectual contact with the problems of the disabled and on awareness of the difference between the viewpoints of the "insider" in rehabilitation-the patient or his family-and the "outsider." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Moving behavioral medicine to the front line: A model for the integration of behavioral and medical sciences in primary care.

Psychologists have an unprecedented opportunity to influence primary medical care systems where chronic conditions, somatic symptoms, and health-threatening behaviors are prevalent. The authors developed a new model to incorporate behavioral medicine expertise into existing primary care practice with the purpose of delivering integrated, comprehensive, and efficient health care through physician training and direct patient care services. This model moves psychologists from isolated referral settings to the front line of medical care, where a broader impact on the outcomes and costs of health care can be achieved. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A brief appraisal of the role of clinical psychology in medical education.

"It may fairly be stated that Psychology is at last wearing long pants in the medical school setting… . Almost 90% of the medical schools in this country have psychologists on their professional staffs… . Some of our problems of status among our medical colleagues have yet to be resolved… . There are few interprofessional relationships which are more cordial and mutually profitable than those which exist in medical schools. It is rather a paradox that at the very foundation of medicine there can be profitable and harmonious relationships while so much bitterness and misunderstanding exists in other kinds of settings. But it is fortunate that a new generation of physicians is entering the practice of medicine after gaining a firsthand knowledge of what psychology has to offer." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Summary report on the conference on psychology in medical education.

"The stated purposes of the conference were: to ascertain present practices and goals of psychologists in medical schools, to determine how these practices and goals are integrated into the total medical school scene, and to discuss how these practices and goals might be improved both within the discipline and in relation to other disciplines." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counseling psychology in behavioral medicine and health psychology.

Counseling psychology can make a contribution to the newly emerging fields of health-related behavioral science, but the nature of that contribution will depend on counseling psychology's willingness to develop new perspectives and practices. The present authors compare 2 of these health orientations, behavioral medicine and health psychology, in an effort to establish counseling psychology's relationship with either of these approaches. Three areas of training and application are surveyed, which the current research suggests will offer opportunities for meaningful participation by counseling psychologists. Such opportunities for important work in these health-related areas will call on counseling psychology's traditional psychoeducational strategies and creative new methodologies and perspectives. (55 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The potential of acupuncture for the behavioral sciences.

Discusses the origins of acupuncture in China, the techniques involved, mechanisms of action, and applications to the behavioral sciences. Dangers of acupuncture treatment and the medical-legal status of the techniques are also considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Continuing education: A new challenge for psychology.

Notes that pressures are mounting from within and from outside psychology for the demonstration of continued professional competence. The need for systematically available continuing education opportunities for both the practicing professional and the teacher-scientist is great. It is suggested that some services can be provided centrally by the American Psychological Association which will facilitate the development of a continuing education network for all psychologists. The following services are proposed: consultation on the development of programs, a resource center, a registration service, publication of a calendar, and a self-assessment examination system. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The history of broad and general education in scientific psychology: The foundation for professional psychology education and training.

The article provides the historical roots and rationale for providing professional psychologists with knowledge of the underpinnings in core scientific areas of psychology with two goals–knowledge of those scientific areas themselves and as the basis for further understanding the integration of science and practice to improve professional service delivery. This article discusses the early roots of the applied areas within psychology and the changes in curricular expectations in accreditation to the current provisions for the accreditation of doctoral programs in professional psychology. After the historical introduction, the article discusses the current use of the concept of broad and general training as the basis for current practice in accreditation of programs in professional psychology and for the practice as a licensed psychologist. Finally, the article provides some initial discussion of the different perspectives in the rest of the section regarding how best to provide students with appropriate knowledge for competence in scientific underpinnings of professional psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The behavioral sciences and the federal government: Summary and recommendations.

Reprinted from the Behavioral Sciences and the Federal Government, 1968, No. 1680. Examines how the knowledge and methods of the behavioral sciences can be effectively applied to the programs and policies of the federal government, stressing the need to consider the way behavioral science research is related to planning and management, and to consider the methods used for testing research for quality and relevance. The conditions which are considered to be necessary for the effective use of the knowledge and methods of behavioral sciences are suggested in regard to domestic and foreign affairs, international cooperation in research, science policies, and future-oriented research and public policies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Examination performance of medical students. A view from Trinidad

We analysed the outcome of the final MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) examinations at the St. Augustine Campus, University of the West Indies, for 686 students attempting them for the first time between 1975 and 1986. The mean failure rate was lowest in Medicine between 1975 and 1981, in Obstetrics & Gynaecology between 1982 and 1989 and in Surgery during the last 7 years. The students' poor performance in some areas indicates the need for recognizing the importance of creating and establishing an educational climate in which the quality of teaching comes under scrutiny. The marking system in Medicine should be reviewed.     

Professional education in industrial psychology: A statement of policy.

"The industrial psychologist should be a broadly trained psychologist… . Education in industrial psychology should provide grounding in psychological theory… . The curriculum should provide knowledge of the problem areas of industrial psychology… . Education in industrial psychology should include knowledge in other areas important in business and industry… . The student should become familiar with a very wide variety of research tools, methods, and procedures… . The education of an industrial psychologist should be realistic… . The education of industrial psychologists should include discussion of the ethical problems likely to arise in industry." The stated principles "should be interpreted in a flexible rather than a rigid fashion." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)