Abstract:
Researchers have sought to identify the value-relevant variables that might bias diagnosis, prognosis, and outcome. Abramowitz and Dokecki (1977), have identified a series of biases elicited by social and cultural variables such as gender, race, and social class. Other sources of bias related to patient (pt) characteristics which have been explored include physical attractiveness (Murray and Abramson, 1983), wt (Young and Powell, 1985), religious affiliation (Lewis and Lewis, 1985), sexual preference (Hamilton, 1985), and various chronic illnesses (Katz et al, 1987; Kelly et al, 1988; Kelly et al, 1987a, 1987b). It was the purpose of this study to examine clinical judgments of professional psychologists when pt characteristics, such as physical health status (HIV-positive, terminal cancer or no diagnosed medical condition) and sexual preference (heterosexual or homosexual), were systematically varied. The hypotheses examined judgments made by professional psychologists about (1) the psychological condition of pts (eg, problem severity, diagnosis, prognosis, etc) and (2) judgments made by the psychologists about themselves with respect to willingness and competence to treat the pts. Ninety professional psychologists, selected from the American Psychological Association Register (Divisions 12, 17, 29, and 42), were shown a short videotape of a 'pt.' A 19-item questionnaire, constructed for this study, was used to assess the judgments of the psychologists. Overall, the results provided mixed support for the hypothesized effects of pt physical health status and sexual preference on clinical judgments. Physical health status of the pt was shown to effect subjects ratings of prognosis for psychological improvement (F[2,87] = 6.88, p less than 0.01), responsibility for the psychological disorder (F[2,87] = 4.25, p less than 0.05), and effectiveness in alleviating psychological distress (F[2,87] = 4.07, p less than 0.05). Sexual preference of the pt was shown to effect subjects ratings of number of sessions required per week (F[1,88] = 11.34, p less than 0.001) and the likelihood of canceling a session (F[1,88] = 4.29, p less than 0.05). Thus, the results of the present study indicate that psychologists are not strongly influenced by the pt characteristics of physical health status and sexual preference and seem to respond differently from physicians, nurses, medical students, chiropractic students, and college students. Perhaps the training and experience of psychologists may lead to the increased objectivity over other health care professionals and lay people, thereby, accounting for fewer biases in clinical judgment. (Full text available from University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, MI, as Order No. AAD91-35941).
Keywords: *Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/PSYCHOLOGY/THERAPY Health Manpower Health Status Human *Neoplasms/PSYCHOLOGY/THERAPY *Physician's Role Prejudice Prognosis *Psychology Sex Behavior Social Class THESIS 930228
M9320871
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