Training the scientist-practitioner for the 21st century: putting the bloom back on the rose

Abstract

The field of clinical psychology has been characterized over the past five decades as shaped by social, economic, and political forces outside of it. Even before the Boulder Conference, meetings and writings evidenced the underpinnings of the scientist-practitioner model that was to be developed in a welcoming climate (Dosier, 1947; Kubie, 1949; Luchins, 1949). Difficulties in implementation, however, produced a schism between the scientist and practitioner aspects. Our thesis is that the current environment dictated by managed care necessitates a reaffirmation of the scientist-practitioner model. We believe that clinical psychologists are in an unparalleled position to intercede among forces in the current climate because of their sensitivity to clinical and research issues, and we offer suggestions for how clinicians, researchers, and training programs can close the gap between research and practice.