A Hospital Medical Staff Psychology Department: The Interface of Medical Education, Postdoctoral Psychology Training, Clinical Practice, and Medical Staff Membership
We describe the organization and development of the free-standing medical staff department of psychology at Hurley Medical Center (HMC) in Flint, Michigan. Housed in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSU/CHM), the department is unique in its independence and parity within the organized medical staff. The description herein follows the 10 organizational variables suggested by the Working Group on Governance and Administration from the 1995 Georgetown Conference of the Association of Medical School Psychologists. The departmental structure, its developmental history, clinical and educational services, and keys to success are described. In conjunction with a collegial medical staff, the department and its endeavors reflect a professional environment that is stable, responsive to the needs of the physicians, the hospital, and their patients, and is rich in independent practice opportunities. We believe it may represent a worthy example of advanced psychology practice for the future.