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Is three a crowd? Clients, clinicians, and managed care.
Julie Cohen1, Jeanne Marecek, Jane Gillham
1Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, 85721, USA. jlc5@email.arizona.edu
The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
|May 25, 2006
Summary
Therapists report conflicts between managed care policies and ethical practice. Managed care practices may undermine therapy quality and the therapist-client relationship, impacting the profession.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Managed care plans increasingly influence healthcare delivery.
- The impact on psychotherapy practices and ethical standards is a growing concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how managed care influences the practice of psychotherapy.
- To understand therapists' experiences and perceptions of working under managed care.
Main Methods:
- In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with therapists.
- A structured thematic coding system was used to analyze interview texts.
Main Results:
- A significant culture clash emerged between managed care companies and therapists.
- Managed care practices often conflicted with therapists' standards of care and professional ethics.
- Misrepresentation of psychotherapy by managed care personnel was reported, undermining therapeutic work and relationships.
Conclusions:
- Managed care presents challenges to therapists' ethical integrity and morale.
- The expansion of managed care may negatively affect psychotherapy's nature and public perception.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications for mental health professions.