THE FUTURE OF PSYCHOLOGY IN DEPARTMENTS OF PSYCHIATRY

Health care reform has put increasing pressure on faculty of medical s chools to become self-supporting. Opportunities for clinical revenue w ill decrease, but psychologists who are able to generate research fund ing will become increasingly competitive, albeit as ''mercenaries,'' i .e., capable of paying their own way plus generating a profit to suppo rt departmental operations and educational programs. Changes in the he alth care system signal an end to psychiatry's paternalistic relations hip to psychology and present opportunities for psychology proactively to influence ifs future role in health care. Research, political acti on, and revised scientific mission, models, and roles represent import ant strategies in the redefining of psychology as a basic science and major profession in health care.