HOSPITAL PSYCHOLOGY IN CANADA

Canadian hospital psychology is examined in terms of the existing organizational models, professional practices, academic activities, and professional orientations of hospital psychologists. The survey reveals that psychologists are active clinically and academically in Canadian hospitals in a wide variety of health care areas in addition to traditional mental health areas. In the majority of hospitals, psychologists are organized in independent departments of psychology or behavioural science, although physician influence appears to be a strong factor in practice. Medical staff membership and academic appointments for hospital psychologists are disappointingly low at the present time. Some recommendations for the future development of hospital psychology in Canada are outlined.