Psychologists in Academic Health Centers and Medical Centers: Being Visible, Relevant and Integral

Abstract

Psychologists play key roles in academic health centers. This article is an outgrowth of a presentation at the 2015 Conference of the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers addressing various strategies by which psychologists can effectively adapt to and develop successful careers in medical schools, academic health centers, and teaching hospitals. The authors encourage early career and mid-career psychologists in academic health centers to be active, engaged members of their institutions and to participate in multiple aspects of the research, educational, and clinical missions.

Getting involved in training the next generation of physicians: Examples of practicing psychologists in psychiatry and family medicine residency programs.

“…Yet opportunities for practicing psychologists to get involved in training, especially in the context of medical education, are not always apparent, and the path toward such involvement may seem unclear and intimidating. While much has been written on the role of psychologists as full-time, research-focused faculty or administrators in medical schools and academic medical centers (see Hong & Leventhal, 2004; Hong & Robiner, 2016; LaPaglia et al, 2017; Robiner et al, 2014), published examples of “role models” among practicing psychologists in primarily clinical positions who are engaged in medical education are scarce. Providing examples of professional journeys from such individuals can help demystify the process of getting involved in medical education and encourage more practicing psychologists to do so.…”

“…In the last two decades, U.S. healthcare and academic medicine have been undergoing a rapid change (Niles, 2019; Obama, 2016; Skochelak & Stack, 2017), including the evolution of individual disciplines within medicine, increasingly narrow specialization, and continued acceleration of medical and scientific knowledge. These changes have impacted medical school and residency training curricula (Sklar et al, 2018), creating unique opportunities and challenges for psychologists as medical educators (see Hong & Robiner, 2016; Smith & Bunton, 2012).…”

Introduction to the Special Section: Leadership in Academic Health Centers, and Role of the Association of American Medical Colleges

“…Some of the urgency around psychologists' being more involved in leadership positions may stem from their concern about becoming less professionally relevant, or being excluded from critical decisions about health services and training of health professionals (Hong & Robiner, 2016). Psychologists are a minority profession in AHCs (GarciaShelton & Leventhal, 2005)-as acknowledged in the articles in this special issue-and psychologists are aware of their minority position.…”

Physician Communication Coaching: How Psychologists can Elevate Skills and Support Resident Education, Professionalism, and Well-being

“…Coaches must also have a solid professional identity to manage medical/system hierarchy, know how to navigate resistance, and have appropriate boundaries, all of which require more training than practicum. Communication coaching is a manifestation of many psychologists’ aims in academic healthcare settings to competently take on new roles using interpersonal skills and psychological expertise, and becoming visible, relevant, and integral in academic medical centers (Hong & Robiner, 2016 ).…”