Health psychology specialty practice opportunities in a rural community hospital: Practicing local clinical science

There is currently considerable interest in opportunities for collaboration between psychologists and primary care providers, particularly in rural se ttings. This article is an attempt to expand this discussion by focusing on opportunities for more specialized health psychology practices within tert iary care settings. Two examples are provided of collaborative projects rec ently implemented in a rural community hospital in southern New Hampshire-1 in the department of surgery. the other in the department of cardiac rehab ilitation. The process of developing these practice opportunities is descri bed within the context of the psychologist functioning as a local clinical scientist. The article concludes with a discussion of practical issues, inc luding staffing and funding.