Training directors' perceptions of psychology doctoral student training, knowledge and understanding of managed care environments

The purpose of this study was to examine Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) training director perceptions of clinical and counseling Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) interns' training and knowledge of managed care issues before those interns begin their pre-doctoral internship year. Students in many specialty programs such as nursing, medicine, social work, and psychology are facing numerous challenges after they graduate due to health care reform that is a result of managed care. Therefore, the educational curricula of graduate level psychology programs needs to meet the challenges by providing information and knowledge about the managed care environment for their students. Currently the level of training on managed care issues that is provided to clinical and counseling doctoral students in their academic programs is unclear. This present study surveyed Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) training directors about Ph.D. and Psy.D. clinical and counseling interns' training and knowledge of managed care environments prior to entering their year of internship. Of the 129 respondents, 66% of APPIC training directors surveyed perceived that the interns entering their programs never or rarely received training on managed care issues from their academic program.