Do Psychologists Adhere to the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Tobacco Cessation? A Survey of Practitioners.

Practicing psychologists are well positioned to provide at least minimal interventions for tobacco dependence among their clients. Because smoking covaries with psychopathology, a substantial proportion of psychologists' clients are likely to be smokers. Psychologists have expertise in motivating behavior change, and they have greater contact and stronger relationships with their patients than do most other health providers. Despite these advantages, the current study found that psychologists were less likely to intervene for tobacco use than for other client behaviors, such as alcohol or illicit drug abuse. Psychologists do not regularly ask their clients whether they smoke, advise them to quit, assess their willingness to quit, assist them with quitting, or arrange follow-up. Recommendations for additional training are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Practicing clinical psychologists’ provision of sexual health care services.

Practicing clinical psychologists are likely to work with sexual health concerns as part of their clinical practice because of high prevalence rates and sexual problems as symptoms of mental or physical health problems and their pharmacological treatment. However, the majority of clinicians do not receive didactic or supervised clinical training. This survey of 188 practicing clinical psychologists in one Canadian city confirmed that, despite lack of training, many clinicians discussed sexual health concerns with their clients and used a variety of sex therapy techniques. This survey also revealed, however, that 60% of clinicians did not ask, or very infrequently asked, clients about sexual health. In general, lack of training affected level of comfort, and both may result in inadequate application of sex therapy techniques and treatment. The results of this survey indicate an ethical imperative to included sexuality training in current graduate curricula to adequately prepare psychologists to assess, refer, and treat sexual health concerns. The inclusion of sexuality-related topics in existing clinical graduate courses, an increase in sexuality-specific courses focused on assessment and intervention in graduate curricula, and broader options for continuing education for practicing clinical psychologists are recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

In the echoes of gunfire: Practicing psychologists' responses to school violence.

The recent rash of school shootings has thrust practicing psychologists into the role of assisting communities prevent such high profile incidents of juvenile violence. Although many psychologists are involved in assessing and treating children at risk for violent behavior, their efforts are rarely linked with other organized prevention efforts. This article describes how practicing psychologists represent a critical resource to school districts in developing and implementing a comprehensive violence prevention strategy. The authors outline a model school and mental health clinic collaborative program that can be replicated in various practice settings and discuss the benefits and essential steps for building such a collaboration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Levels of training to address religion in clincal practice.

Psychologists routinely work with clients who hold religious beliefs and values, yet there is often the question of whether psychologists are trained and competent to address religion as an aspect of diversity. How do training programs prepare psychologists to address this specific diversity issue? Do training programs equip psychologists to work effectively with religious clients? It is useful for psychologists to consider a 3-tier training system in religion and religious diversity that reflects a commitment to seeing religion as a meaningful expression of diversity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexual and nonsexual boundary violations involving psychologists, clients, supervisees, and students: Implications for professional practice.

What is available to psychologists to assist them in identifying or minimizing the damage that can result from inappropriate professional boundary crossings? Frequency data of both sexual and nonsexual boundary violations by psychologists are provided as they occurred with clients, supervisees, and students. The impact of engaging in such relationships on subsequent professional practice is also reported. Data on 18 nonsexual boundary crossings are described, and guidelines for making decisions about crossing accepted professional boundaries are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists' Use of Motion Pictures in Clinical Practice.

Do professional psychologists use motion pictures in clinical practice? If so, do they consider motion pictures to have therapeutic value? Of 827 licensed practicing psychologists, 67% reported the use of motion pictures to promote therapy gains. Most of these practitioners (88%) considered the use of motion pictures as effective in promoting treatment outcome, and only a minority (1%) reported them as potentially harmful. Compared with their psychodynamic counterparts, therapists practicing within eclectic-integrative, cognitive-behavioral, or humanistic frameworks were more likely to view or use motion pictures as therapeutic tools. Psychologists provided individual evaluations of 27 motion pictures that deal with a variety of mental health subjects, and overall they were characterized as "moderately helpful." Clinical applications and issues pertaining to using motion pictures in therapy are summarized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin treatment for Stage T1 grade 3 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the current knowledge base and screening practices of obstetrician-gynecologists in the area of domestic violence. METHODS: We mailed a survey to 189 ACOG Fellows who are members of the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network. Questionnaires were also mailed to a random sample of 1250 nonmember Fellows. RESULTS: Obstetrician-gynecologists are aware of the nature of domestic violence and are familiar with common symptomatology that may be associated with domestic violence. For pregnant patients, 39% of respondents routinely screen at the first prenatal visit; 27% of respondents routinely screen nonpregnant patients at the initial visit. Screening is most likely to occur when the obstetrician-gynecologist suspects a patient is being abused, both during pregnancy (68%) and when the patient is not pregnant (72%). Only 30% of obstetrician-gynecologists received training on domestic violence during medical school; 37% received such instruction during residency training. The majority (67%) have received continuing education on the subject. Years since training and personal experiences with intimate-partner violence were associated with increased screening practices. CONCLUSION: Routine screening of all women for domestic violence has been recommended by ACOG for more than a decade. The majority of obstetrician-gynecologists screen both pregnant and nonpregnant patients when they suspect abuse. However, with universal screening, more female victims of violence can be identified and can receive needed services.     

A survey of clinical psychologists on treating lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients.

Should the average psychologist receive specific training on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) concerns? On the basis of a random sample of practicing psychologists, LGB clients are present in most caseloads. Respondents rated the most important therapeutic issues with LGB clients and identified training that would improve their work with LGB clients (including the topics of coming out, estrangement from family, support system development, and internalized homophobia). In addition, participants reported on the types of training that they are getting (most frequently reading articles, supervision, and continuing education). The implications for training programs and private practitioners are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists' use of homework assignments in clinical practice.

Does the average professional psychologist use homework in clinical practice? If so, how frequently and how systematic is he or she in recommending homework? Ninety-eight percent of the 221 New Zealand practicing psychologists surveyed reported using homework assignments. Although practitioners reported using homework in an average of 57% of sessions, a higher rate (66% of sessions) was reported among those using cognitive and behavioral approaches to therapy. Despite this fact, only 25% of all psychologists reported using systematic procedures for recommending homework. The use of homework in clinical practice may need modification to ensure that clients receive maximum benefit from homework assignments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical competence for practicing psychologists: Clearly a work in progress.

Competence is an issue of vital importance for all practicing psychologists, and each spends his or her career seeking to develop it, achieve it, maintain it, and enhance it. But just what is competence, how is it best achieved, what are the factors that may adversely impact it, and what are each psychologist's ethical obligations with regard to clinical competence? These and other relevant questions are addressed for psychologists individually, for those who train them, and for those in the profession who establish professional standards. The article and 3 invited expert commentaries address these issues and make practical recommendations for action that will assist psychologists, trainers, and the profession to better achieve the ideal of competence so that they may best be able to meet the needs of those they serve. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A preliminary survey of counseling psychologists' personal experiences with depression and treatment.

The fact that psychologists may not realize how much their own diagnosable emotional problems can impact their practices led to the undertaking of an exploratory survey of practicing psychologists in order to assess that notion. The results of a random sample of 1,000 psychologists indicate that women were more frequent respondents than men by a ratio of 3 to 2 and that depression (dysthymia) was the most frequently acknowledged diagnosis. Respondents felt that their emotional issues gave them more empathy for their clients; however, they also experienced an increased sense of isolation from their colleagues and lessened energy and ability to concentrate in their relationships with their clients. Recommendations are offered for self-care practices for psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Complementary/alternative medicine: Ethical, professional, and practical challenges for psychologists.

Do your clients talk about using various complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) approaches to deal with their problems? Are you aware of the research on these approaches and their possible effect on health? Many popular CAM approaches are described, and the background and efficacy literature on several of them is reviewed and discussed. Ethical, legal, and practical issues for psychologists are discussed. Data from a preliminary survey of members of the American Psychological Association (N=202) on their knowledge and use of CAM are reported. A majority held favorable opinions of the potential legitimacy of alternative modalities, but many correctly assumed that state laws are ambiguous on this matter. This information may help the practicing psychologist respond more effectively when clients talk about their CAM interests and practices. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists, psychiatrists, and physician-assisted suicide: The relationship between underlying beliefs and professional behavior.

Would you, as a practicing professional, conduct evaluations of patients desiring physician-assisted suicide (PAS)? Would you assist directly? The authors surveyed psychologists and psychiatrists licensed in New Mexico in order to understand the ethical reasoning mental health practitioners use making judgements about PAS and to discern what criteria they use in responding to patients desiring aid in dying. Fundamental agreement on the validity of various justifications for or against PAS suggests open-mindedness and empathy. Yet, practitioners report a tendency to act in accordance with their own belief systems rather than the patient's, raising questions about objectivity. How do you compare to these professionals? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical Implications in Healing from Domestic Violence: A Case Study.

Violence against women by their intimate partners continues to be widespread today. Practicing psychologists who treat female clients will see the consequences of immediate and long-term emotional effects of abuse. The author uses a psychologist's personal story of domestic violence and healing from abuse to illustrate the psychological issues and concerns battered women face in their healing. The author then gives eight recommendations for treating battered women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Autobiographies of mental health clients: Psychologists' uses and recommendations.

More than 80% of practicing psychologists recommend self-help books to their psychotherapy clients, but only 33% recommend autobiographies written by mental health patients. In this study, 362 psychologists (38% response) provided clinical information and evaluative ratings on such published autobiographical accounts. The effect of reading autobiographies during treatment was typically considered "somewhat helpful." The titles and evaluative ratings of 40 leading autobiographies are provided as a resource for the practitioner; the most valued were An Unquiet Mind, Nobody Nowhere, Darkness Visible, Out of the Depths, and Girl Interrupted. The clinical advantages of recommending published autobiographies to clients are reviewed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Practicing psychologists' knowledge of general psychotherapy research findings: Implications for science-practice relations.

If you are a therapist, how knowledgeable are you and how knowledgeable do you need to be about psychotherapy research findings? In this study, the authors examined practicing psychologists' knowledge of general psychotherapy research findings. Results revealed that some psychologists showed excellent familiarity with this body of outcome research, but many did not achieve this standard. Not infrequently, psychologists believed that research findings were less positive than is actually the case, perhaps explaining some of the negativity that practitioners sometimes express toward psychotherapy research. Research knowledge could not be predicted by years graduated, percentage of long-term clients, percentage of time conducting therapy, theoretical orientation, or perceived familiarity with research. The modest familiarity with research findings that therapists, in general, demonstrated may be understood, in part, through examination of the acquisition of research knowledge as a judgment task. The authors explore potential factors that may influence therapists' judgments about the research. In addition, they examine possible relations between research knowledge and therapy outcome and their potential practice implications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinician Variation in Rates of Legal Sanity Opinions: Implications for Self-Monitoring.

How often do forensic psychologists find that a defendant meets criteria for legal sanity? Do clinicians vary in terms of how frequently they offer opinions supportive of insanity? If so, how might a conscientious clinician determine whether unusually high or low rates of insanity opinions reflect bias? The authors present the first available data regarding how individual clinicians vary in rates of insanity opinions, drawing from 59 clinicians who conducted 4,498 evaluations. Most clinicians found 5%-25% of defendants met criteria for legal insanity. However, some clinicians opined that no defendants met criteria for legal insanity, whereas others opined that as many as 50% of defendants did. The authors (a) provide suggestions to help practicing clinical-forensic psychologists monitor their patterns of psycho-legal opinions and (b) examine carefully whether unusual rates may reflect clinician bias. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of self-help materials for anxiety and depression in mental health services: A national survey of psychologists in Norway.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 42(3) of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (see record 2011-11548-002). The author's affiliations were listed incorrectly. The correct affiliations are in the correction.] How do psychologists in clinical practice perceive and use self-help materials for clients with anxiety and depression? The use of self-help materials with guidance from a therapist has been suggested as a way of meeting the increasing need for mental health services. The present study investigated factors relevant to the use of self-help materials for the treatment of anxiety and depression among psychologists employed in mental health services. Among 1863 eligible clinical psychologists in Norway, 815 (43.7%) participated in a national survey. A total of 93.5% of the participants had recommended self-help materials to clients, and approximately half (55.1%) had received requests from their clients regarding self-help materials. Self-help materials were recommended as an adjunct and not as an alternative to therapist contact by 73.0% of respondents, by 16.6% for relapse prevention, and by 1.2% to clients on a waiting list. Internet/computer-based programs were recommended by 2.2% of the participants. The practitioner's previous use of self-help materials to enhance his or her therapy skills and knowledge of self-help materials was related to use of self-help materials with clients. Psychologists working in child mental health services recommended self-help less often than those working in adult services. These results have implications for future efforts to disseminate effective self-help materials through increased attention toward self-help interventions in training and clinical practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Myocardial infarction and percent arteriographic stenosis of culprit lesion: report from the Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias (POSCH)

Domestic violence is a significant public health issue affecting women. Numerous medical organizations have recommended that routine screening of women be conducted to assist in the prevention, identification, and care for victims of violence. This article examines the scope of domestic violence in women, reviews ways to recognize abuse, examines the potential impact of abuse upon health and discusses the management of victims.