Anyone who has ever worked with the Practice Directorate – and more recently its newest relation, the APA Practice Organization – is aware of the importance the directorate places on research with practitioners to help guide planning efforts. For example, such research is currently being used to inform the content and offerings of the Practice Organization’s new online portal ("New Online Resource to Aid Practitioners").

Around the start of 2001, the Practice Directorate conducted its first major online survey which targeted a broad range of practitioners. An online survey completed early in 2002 sought information from practicing psychologists age 40 and under. Nearly 25 percent of those invited to participate in this recent survey responded, bringing the total number of respondents to more than 500. Here’s some of what this emerging group of practitioners shared:

Who They Are

• 58 percent are female; 42 percent are male.
• 45 percent have been a licensed psychologist for five years or less; 38 percent have practiced for 6 to 10 years; 16 percent for more than 10 years.
• The vast majority (80 percent) are clinical psychologists. 60 percent belong to an APA division.

Where They Work

Slightly more than half (52 percent) are in independent practice, 21 percent work in hospitals, 18 percent in a clinic, another 18 percent work at universities, followed by those who work in academic settings (17 percent), medical schools (14 percent), business and industry (5 percent), school systems (4 percent), among others.

• 38 percent are in a solo practice where they are the only mental health professional.
• 54 percent of respondents employ one administrative staff person.
• 30 percent currently use practice management software such as Therapist Helper.
• 43 percent utilize an accounting software program such as Quickbooks.
• Just over half (52 percent) see 16 or more clients per week.
• 77 percent file claims to third-party payers.

How They Use Technology

• 77 percent go online at least once a day.
• 73 percent find it easy to obtain what they need online.
• 71 percent have participated in listservs.
• 79 percent subscribe to news and other types of online updates.
• 73 percent find it easy to install and configure software on their computers.

Who's Hip to HIPAA? In a recent online survey conducted with APA members aged 40 and under: 30 percent have never heard of HIPAA 35 percent have heard the acronym, but weren’t sure what it stands for 31 percent are familiar with HIPAA 3 percent are very familiar with HIPAA Source: APA Practice Organization’s 2002 “40 and Under” Practitioner Survey

The most popular online activities related to their profession include searching for relevant information (92 percent), email (89 percent) and purchasing books and other materials (78 percent).

Why They Belong to APA

• To be part of the larger professional community of psychologists (78 percent)
• To receive timely, professionally relevant information (73 percent)
• To support professional advocacy efforts (43 percent)

Except for a trend toward more women in the profession, both surveys conducted over the two-year period reveal more similarities than differences between younger practitioners and their older colleagues. A majority of both groups are in independent practice. About the same number in both groups use practice management software. And a majority of both groups use the Internet to access information and to purchase resources relevant to the profession.

Further research targeting both broad and narrow segments of the APA member population will continue to be instrumental in guiding future APA Practice Organization efforts. Most important, input from all member groups will ensure that the Practice Organization delivers the information, products, and services that will be of greatest benefit to all practitioners.