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Based on my priorities, here is a quick list of what I would see as important components of my action plan:
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Increasing psychologists’ involvement in the political process: This goal is essential for both the scientific and practice communities. Psychologists involved in mental health practice are under tremendous pressure from managed care and other professions. Given the size of the deficit and the reliance on tax cutting as an economic stimulant, federal funding for research will experience similar pressures in the coming years. If psychology is to continue and grow and prosper, it can only occur by becoming more involved in our political system.
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Improving APA's relationship with psychologists: This should include more coordination with other professional and disciplinary organizations, and less focus on creating documents and more on services and activities that enhance the image of psychology within and outside the discipline.
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Enhancing psychology's involvement in social policy: Psychologists have a great deal to offer to the discussion of evidence-based interventions for social issues as diverse as improving educational policy, revamping healthcare practices, reducing family violence, and encouraging sustainable living. Psychologists should be more active in making the public aware of our potential contributions to addressing these problems.
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Advocating for assessment and prescriptive authority: These are two skill sets that I believe can enhance psychologists' role in the mental health system while improving the quality of care. I think well-trained psychologists, learning from research and from the mistakes of other disciplines, can enhance the quality of pharmacological practice in our country. I also think assessment has been underrated as a tool in a healthcare system that deals increasingly with lifestyle-related and chronic illnesses within a biopsychosocial model (see Porcelli & McGrath, 2007).
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Creating better translational materials: I think there are better ways to present evidence-based than have yet been seen. These would include materials that treat evidence-based treatments within the general practice of psychology, including treatments addressing multiple areas of concern. Achieving this goal will require collaboration between researchers and practitioners, where the latter give feedback to the former on the usefulness of what is materials that are generated.
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Developing materials for improving IRB performance: We should capitalize on the important work of Sharon Brehm’s Task Force on IRBs and Psychological Science. I would like to fast-track the development of materials to be distributed to IRBs educating them about psychological science, and also providing information about how to address common problems reported by such boards.
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| Preparing for a more diverse academe: Psychologists can play a pivotal role in identifying methods for modifying academic regulations in light of an increasingly diverse faculty that will include more primary caretakers, and more individuals from traditionally disadvantaged populations. |
| I'd be happy to hear from you with your comments about the future of the association. |
