Psychology and nursing: A natural alliance.

Argues that although the professions of psychology and nursing each possess their own tradition, clinical skills, and scientific knowledge base, there is much that they share in that both are evolving into autonomous disciplines. It is suggested that increased cooperative interdisciplinary efforts in the clinical, scientific, and public policy areas could contribute to each profession's autonomy. (64 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologist on Capitol Hill: A unique use of the skills of the scientist/practitioner.

Congressional staff participate in a wide range of information-management activities including information acquisition, analysis, and dissemination. Those who serve on Capitol Hill have an opportunity to contribute their substantive knowledge and analytical skills to the debates surrounding issues of national importance. However, it is suggested that for those trained as scientists and/or practitioners, the political process and the fundamental evolutionary nature of social change can be unexpectedly frustrating. The roles and responsibilities of congressional staffers, the relevance of psychological training, and the employment opportunities existing for those psychologists who wish to become personally involved in the legislative process are discussed. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Public policy: Extending psychology's contributions to national priorities.

Overview: Much of today's psychological research and practice is relevant to our national health agenda and can serve the public interest. President Obama's landmark health care reform success provides an unprecedented opportunity to revolutionize society's definition of “quality care” and highlight rehabilitation's potential. Advocacy, vision, and a public policy presence with persistence are critical. Those involved often focus exclusively upon specific issues (e.g., reimbursement, research funding, or graduate student support). Summary: By developing a “bigger picture” approach addressing society's real needs and embracing the changes technology will ultimately bring, psychology can have a more lasting impact. There are unlimited opportunities to advance the profession through personal involvement in the public policy arena. It is essential that psychology's next generation receives relevant mentoring. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Displacement of leisure reinforcers by food during preference assessments

Identification of reinforcers for individuals with developmental disabilities is often based on the outcome of preference assessments in which participants make selections from among a variety of items. We determined the extent to which individuals might show a general preference for food items over leisure items during such assessments and whether leisure items that are "displaced" by food items might nevertheless function as reinforcers. Arrays consisting of food items only and then nonfood items only were presented separately to 14 participants and then were ranked to determined preference. The top selections from these initial assessments were subsequently combined in a third assessment, and preferences were again established. All but 2 participants showed a general preference for food items, such that selection of nonfood items in the combined arrays was displaced downward relative to selection of nonfood in the nonfood-only arrays. Two of the participants were exposed to a condition in which a nonfood item was delivered contingent on the occurrence of an adaptive response, and increased rates of responding by both individuals were observed. Results are discussed in terms of limitations posed by using only food items as reinforcers and the resulting need to take precautionary measures when attempting to identify nonfood reinforcers.     

The power of science in furthering professional practice: Opportunities for those with vision.

Describes initiatives within the National Institutes of Health and within the military to use behavioral, cognitive, psychological, and applied psychophysiological research findings to improve clinical intervention with a vast array of health problems, including substance abuse. Psychologists in the military are leading new initiatives to deal with the problems of obesity, physical pain, headaches, environmental effects, and the full range of physical health and mental health problems. (0 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Community Health Centers: Exciting Opportunities for the 21st Century.

What are important and increasingly available settings for psychologists interested in practicing primary behavioral health care? Community health centers (CHCs) represent the medical "safety net" for millions of uninsured and medically underserved Americans. The recent push to expand mental health services at CHCs creates the need for psychologists and other mental health providers, particularly those familiar with primary behavioral health care approaches. Federal funding to recruit and retain psychologists at CHCs has increased along with opportunities for multidisciplinary service approaches and training. The potential ways in which psychologists can respond to demonstrated societal needs and develop new clinical skills and methods at CHCs are described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and HMOs: New partnership or new adversary?

Discusses the provision of psychological services in health maintenance organizations (HMOs) with regard to the level of the legal recognition of the autonomous functioning of psychologists. Professional concerns over the role of psychologists in HMOs and over incentives to provide quality mental health care in such organizations are also discussed. The need is stressed for psychologists to be recognized as autonomous providers under the basic federal health programs. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and education: A continuing, productive partnership.

Notes that in recent discussions about economic recovery in the US, 2 factors have fundamental behavioral and psychological correlates: One factor is a set of educational and motivational attributes of the citizenry, and the other is the accumulation of capital and its investment in equipment and research and development. Advances in a broad range of psychological research, particularly in the areas of learning and teaching, have contributed to improving educational systems. It is noted, however, that less than 5% of all federal funds allocated for education are spent on research relevant to understanding education. Opportunities for a continuing, productive partnership between psychology and education are highlighted. Interviews with 3 individuals involved in education (W. H. McGuire, Rep. P. Williams, and M. Thompson) are summarized. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy—is it safe, effective, and appropriate? The beginning of an evolutionary dialogue.

Discusses efforts made by the US Congress in the late 1970's and early 1980's to explore the extent to which those seeking psychotherapeutic services could be assured that the care they would receive would be beneficial. It is contended that psychology, psychiatry, and the mental health field have presented few summary statements to guide the educated consumer or enlightened 3rd-party payers in decision making about mental health care. The mental health field is still young, and there has been insufficient time to evaluate the efficacy of all forms of therapy for all the problems for which patients/clients seek help. But the knowledge gained from clinical experience can be used in a tentative fashion to direct more rigorous empirical investigation. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)