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A survey investigaton of competition among private practicing psychologists
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Welch, Brian David. A survey investigaton of competition among private practicing psychologists. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T32Z14XH

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TitleA survey investigaton of competition among private practicing psychologists
NameWelch, Brian David (author); Gantwerk, Lewis (chair); Riggs Skean, Karen (internal member); Rutgers University; Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
Date Created2011
Other Date2011-05 (degree)
SubjectClinical Psychology, Psychologists--Professional ethics, Competition (Psychology), Business referrals, Occupational surveys
Extentvii, 75 p. : ill.
DescriptionThis study investigates the phenomenon of competition among private practicing
psychologists. Competition in business is oft-discussed in the literature of organizational
psychology but rarely discussed in the context of the private practice of psychology.
Contradictions between the identity of benevolent helper and businessperson may make it
difficult for psychologists to acknowledge competitive dynamics. It is the thesis of this
investigation that there is potential for benefits to psychologists’ well-being and business
performance, as well as to the well-being of the field, through greater awareness of
competitive phenomena. An internet survey was distributed to subscribers of five
professional psychology email lists. One hundred sixty-three survey responses were
initiated and 141 completed. The survey assessed practitioners’ perceptions of the degree
of competition in the field in various domains and the frequency with which practitioners have thought about and discussed competition in the field. Areas explored include
competition for patients and clinical competency; competition with practitioners with like
and dissimilar specialties, theoretical orientations, and levels of experience; and
competition with practitioners from other fields. Also addressed were patterns of making
referrals and marketing of respondents’ practices. Open-ended questions were included
as well. Findings suggest significant diversity of psychologists’ perceptions of the degree
of competitiveness of the field (Competitive field) and the degree to which they have
discussed competition. 69.3% of respondents (CI95% = 61.7-76.9) advocate more
discussion of professional competition. No demographic or practice variable correlates
of Competitive field were found. Self-reported importance of being successful at one’s undertakings (Success importance) was found to correlate with Competitive field (r=.227,
p<.01). Competitive field was found to be predictive of 30 other survey variables, and
predictive of 28 while controlling for Success importance. Competitive field was found
to predict comfort making certain types of referrals for adjunctive treatment.
Competitive feelings were reported more frequently regarding obtaining patients and
clinical competency than other issues queried, and more frequently toward practitioners
with the same specialty and with equal or more experience than other groups queried.
Open-ended responses support the thesis that unspoken competitive dynamics exist. Findings and limitations of the study are discussed, and areas for future research are presented.
NotePsy.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Brian David Welch
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T32Z14XH
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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