Professional psychology has undergone significant challenges that should be taken into consideration to face those efficiently. These challenges are primarily predetermined by such processes as globalization and technological advancement.
Within the context of globalization, shift from a mental health professional to a primary health care provider is necessary to pay more attention to cultural and social backgrounds of patients.
The second dimension should also be addressed to define the extent to which technology has been integrated into the sphere of professional psychology, as well as how it challenges the practice.
With regard to the changing roles, specific attention should be given to the analysis of current training programs offer to health care professionals.
Thus, in order to define the most essential dilemmas, it is purposeful to analyze the challenges and measure to be taken to meet the requirements of professional psychologists. This is of particular concern to increased accountability and transparency in communication with patients.
According to Eby et al. (2011), the main challenges of professional psychology do not lie in existing variety of ethical standards. Rather, there is no fixed code of conduct that all professional psychologists should follow.
The problem is especially serious with regard to the globalization process and cultural diversity issue. Each psychology should be more aware of the external environment that undergoes constant changes.
Because the standards need to be treated under universal criteria, quality-improvement and behavioral analysis are among the most serious challenges for professional psychology.
In particular, Bobbitt et al. (2012) assert, “independent of the health-care reform legislation, quality-improvement processes and the use of outcomes have become key themes in the health-care system over the past 20 years” (p. 1).
In order to consider the issue, focus on integrating quality improvement within a health-care system is essential. In order to face the challenge of improving quality, it is necessary to define the measures that should be taken to introduce reliable treatment to the entire population.
Therefore, focus on collaborative patient-care is indispensible to promote high quality services and provide patients with the corresponding treatment. Nurses should be ready to adjust to new situations and treat patients in accordance with the changing methods and approaches.
Aside from social and communication dimensions, technological advancement is another important factor that creates challenges to the future of professional psychology.
In particular, Levant (n. d.) argues that technological development poses a serious obstacle for professional psychologists because they have to adapt to new learning environments.
In order to meet changes to technological field, health care providers should be able to keep abreast of the recent advances to adjust effectively to them.
With regard to the above presented challenges, it should be stressed that professional psychologists should undergo specific training programs to learn more about globalization processes and technological development.
In particular, they should be able to employ a collaborative approach to treating patients, as well as apply to recent scientific and technological discoveries to improve the quality of health care services.
Thus, changing roles and technological innovations are among the most serious challenges that professional psychology faces to move forward to the next stage of development.
Through widening interests and fields of influence, professional psychologist can receive greater opportunities to adjust to the ongoing changes, as well providing viable solutions to the problems. In addition, they should also be able to respond to the external factors that create difficulties to the academic field.
References
Bobbitt, B. L., Cate, R. A., Beardsley, S. D., Azocar, F., & McCulloch, J. (2012). Quality Improvement and Outcomes in the Future of Professional Psychology: Opportunities and Challenges. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, pp. 1-9.
Eby, M.D., Chin, J. L., Rollock, D., Schwartz, J. P., & Worrell, F. C. (2011). Professional Psychology Training in the Era of a Thousand Flowers: Dilemmas and Challenges for the Future. American Psychological Association, 5(2), 57-68.
Levant, R. F. (n. d.). The Future of Professional Psychology: Psychological Health Care. Nova Southeastern University. pp. 1-6.