Journal of Consulting Psychology

Wells, F. L.

doi: 10.1037/h0060189pmid: N/A

This is the introduction to the 9 succeeding articles in this issue describing the roles of psychologists in various types of hospitals (see ^W19^n: 665, 695, 696, 697, 703, 705, 707, 711, 826). The author concludes by describing the conditions a hospital must create in order to attract and hold competent psychologists: full use of ability, research orientation, status on a par with the medical profession, and opportunities for teaching.

Kinder, E. F.

doi: 10.1037/h0063684pmid: N/A

The psychologist in the Children's Unit of Rockland State Hospital, New York, administers a flexible testing program, diagnoses and treats educational disabilities, contributes to the play therapy program, assists in establishing the proper psychological environment, participates in extra-mural child guidance clinics, and gives courses in psychology to student nurses. Research and training (for psychological and medical students) are carried on also.

Wechsler, D.

doi: 10.1037/h0058226pmid: N/A

Duties of the psychologist in most psychiatric hospitals include defining a patient's intellectual level and noting special abilities or disabilities. Duties vary greatly from institution to institution beyond this point. Some psychologists help in psychiatric diagnosis by analyzing psychometric functioning. Many teach nurses and interns and train student psychologists. Research is usually limited by the pressure of work.

Barten, M. B.

doi: 10.1037/h0055521pmid: N/A

A flexible testing program for patients of various age levels is described. Psychometric functioning is analyzed as an aid to psychiatric diagnosis. A sample report is given summarizing the psychological examination. The need for accurate and comprehensive knowledge obtained in a short time is stressed.

Wittman, P.

doi: 10.1037/h0053534pmid: N/A

Psychological services in state hospitals can be divided roughly into four parts: routine psychometrics, interpretation and analysis of psychological test results, teaching, and research. Test results must be interpreted and shown to be of value in a dynamic sense; they contribute to an understanding of etiologic factors as well as to psychiatric diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluation of improvement.

Rapaport, D.

doi: 10.1037/h0055295pmid: N/A

Very few private mental hospitals employ psychologists. The psychologist will have to learn the problems, needs, language, and theory of the psychiatrist if he wants to establish a place for himself in such an institution. Training for clinical psychologists should include study in all fields and schools of psychology, more and varied experience with people, new attitudes toward tests (qualitative indications as well as quantitative), and special courses in modern psychiatry.

Schott, E. L.

doi: 10.1037/h0054622pmid: N/A

The work done in the Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, is analyzed. Psychologists at that institution spend 40% of their time interviewing, 30% in therapy, 25% in testing, and 5% in miscellaneous activity. Patients of all ages are referred from all departments. The emphasis is more on diagnosis and therapy than on testing.

Tallman, G.

doi: 10.1037/h0055996pmid: N/A

The work of the psychologist at the Neurological Institute of New York is described. It consists of (a) the giving of tests to determine ability, to investigate emotional difficulties, and to establish personality patterns, (b) the collecting of material for research and publication, and (c) until recently, the giving of remedial training in academic subjects. ""Psychological therapy' is not done." The importance of an internship for the psychologist wanting to work in such an institution is stressed.

Seidenfeld, M. A.

doi: 10.1037/h0056567pmid: N/A

Psychological programs in hospitals and sanitoria caring for the tuberculous are representative of the pioneer efforts to use psychology as an adjunct to medical treatment of one of the organic diseases. There is no fixed policy of administration of psychological services in hospitals for somatic disease. Psychological therapy is extremely important for those suffering from chronic somatic diseases because of the necessary adjustment to prolonged periods of confinement in bed and the attainment of new ways and means of earning a living and reclaiming lost socioeconomic security.

Stevens, P.

doi: 10.1037/h0058375pmid: N/A

The psychologist requires a broad academic and professional background to be able to cope with the many and varied problems encountered in clinical work in the army. The most important differences between the clinical psychological work in the army and clinical work in civilian life are the evaluation and recognition of the services of the psychologist, the speed of work, and type of patient examined. The Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale and the Rorschach test have proved very useful.