Exploring the scientist-practitioner (SP) ideal

Student name: Sara Van Hooydonk Student i.d: 800452214 Due date: 25.5.2012 word count: 1,503

Exploring the scientist-practitioner ideal The scientist practitioner model has been particularly helpful towards the professional training of psychologists since its formulation in 1949 (Hayes et al, 1999 ). The aim of this model is for training psychologists to integrate science and practice towards enhancing the effectiveness of varied mental health services (Hayes et al, 1999) .Although this model has been widely accepted, it has
It also represents a need to respect and understand a diversity of approaches and methodologies that can be used in the mental health context (Larner, 2001). It follows that the governments funding towards mental health could be directed towards studies with post-modernists values. At the moment, the Government utilises the medical model in deciding where funds should be allocated in the mental health sector. Monies are orientated towards psychological methodologies that are short term in their approach ensuring cost effectiveness (Cotton, 1998). Additionally, funds are allocated towards treatment and interventions that have been empirically supported. The funding allocated by the government towards the health care system can be changed in a few ways to improve the effectiveness of clinicians. For instance, funding could be directed towards interventions aimed at addressing the needs of individuals, rather than the needs of the population. For example, currently the majority of people suffering from depression will be prescribed pharmaceuticals from their GP, as this is an easy and effective treatment in the eyes of medical model (Albee, 2000). They may also be treated using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is a currently “validated” talk intervention. However, what if someone doesn’t respond to pharmaceutical intervention or CBT? They may be better off