A Paradigm Shift in the Scope of Practice for Health Psychologists: Training Health Psychologists to Be Primary Care Case Managers

Innovative programs in the Department of Defense have challenged health psychologists to broaden their scope of practice. To this end, health psychologists at Tripler Army Medical Center independently admit and discharge patients and serve as primary care managers during hospitalization and follow-up aftercare. A conceptual overview of the Tripler health psychology training philosophy and how the training model has guided Army health psychology in managing, rather than simply consulting, on the care of patients will be offered. Practical considerations and a training curriculum are provided.