Date of Award

Fall 12-1-2002

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Michael J. Murphy

Second Advisor

June Sprock

Third Advisor

Veanne N. Anderson

Abstract

The primary focus of the current study was the investigation of technology use and related attitudes toward technology by psychologists in clinical practice. In addition, this study served as the initial step in a larger effort to develop a database, the Independent Practice Network (IP-Net), which will allow for on-going investigation of patterns and trends in independent practice. This study employed a survey method in which participants chose to respond either via the Internet or by mail. A random sample of 2,000 psychologists who are members of Division 42 (Psychologists in Independent Practice) of the American Psychological Association were invited to participate in IP-Net. Two-hundred-and-sixty-five volunteered and 161 subsequently responded. Despite the low response rate, the characteristics of those who participated were very similar to those in the random sample, as well as the entire membership of Division 42. Psychologists with more positive attitudes toward technology, and those in the online response group, reported significantly higher rates of technology use, which supported one of our hypotheses. Our data also indicated an increased rate of technology usage compared to previous studies. Additionally, based upon our findings we were able to make recommendations for a more comprehensive system of classification of technology applications in clinical practice.

Download

Share

COinS