The psychologist as a health professional in the health maintenance organization.

Abstract

Discusses the implications of the new Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) law and regulations in regard to their effects on the practice of psychology. The law's recognition of the clinical psychologist as a health professional underscores the need for a broadened definition of clinical psychology to include the psychological aspects of all health conditions. Other health legislation has been overly restrictive on psychology (e.g., the Medical Devices Act has made biofeedback techniques part of physical medicine). Psychology's contribution to the understanding of health conditions and health care is being marked by failure to monitor the psychological aspects of health research. An integration of physical and mental service in the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions for the ultimate good of the patient is recommended.

Cost savings following psychological intervention in a hospital setting: The need for Australian-based research

“…The possibilities and dangers to psychologists in the new world of financing health care in the private sector organisations has also prompted a lively debate in the literature (Vizza, 1987). Of significance to psychologists is the fact that the HMO Act (HMO Act, 1973) specifically lists "clinical psychologists" as providers of service and therefore it has legislatively recognised the status of psychologists in providing health services (Wiggins, 1976). While psychologists were not in the forefront of early HMO development, a later survey has revealed a very different picture (Cheifetz & Salloway, 1984b) .…”

A model psychometrically based medical psychology program.

“…This challenges the legitimacy of the physician's decisionmaking power in the psychological sphere (McNamara, 1981;Tefft & Simeonsson, 1979). Just as the writings of Wiggins (1976) and McNamara would suggest, the Medical Psychology Program's ability to independently provide worthwhile diagnostic services has produced resistance from physician-administrators.…”

The role of psychology in government and the policy formation process.

“…In an era of increasing confidence in psychology, as indicated, for example, by the widespread use of behavior modification (Goodall, 1972) the expanding "humanistic" concerns (Smith, 1973), the growth of popular psychological literature, and suggestions for novel and innovative activities for psychologists (cf. Bass & Bass, 1976;Peterson, 1976;Proshansky, 1976;Wiggins, 1976), it is appropriate to ask questions about the direction of psychology. As Smith (1973) put it: "Is psychology relevant to new priorities?"…”