Rural practitioners in America have been pioneers in gaining hospital privileges for psychologists, but with only 17 states and jurisdictions having passed laws authorizing psychologists to practice in hospital settings, there is still a long way to go. This volume is designed to aid rural psychologists and hospital administrators in educating hospital board members, medical staff and rural citizens about the valuable contributions that psychologists can make in the care of patients. The volume covers the history of psychology's advancement in hospital settings, covering the social, medical and economic forces that have slowly opened the door for psychologists' acceptance in traditional medical arenas. Chapters also describe successful collaborative models with physicians and community mental health services, along with the unique services that psychologists can provide to specific populations, such as women and substance abusers. Throughout, the challenges and rewards of working in rural areas are highlighted. This volume illustrates the quality of care that can be achieved when psychologists are made part of an interdisciplinary health care team - a model of care that will benefit both patient and hospital.
