Benchmarks for work performance of pediatric psychologists

Abstract

Objective: To establish benchmarks for work performance of pediatric psychologists. Methods: All full members of the Society of Pediatric Psychology, Division 54 of the American Psychological Association (N = 1043), were recruited for participation in a mail survey. Four hundred and seventy surveys were returned (45%); 356 usable surveys (34%) were included in the analyses. Surveys assessed work-settings, academic appointments, salary, performance expectations and evaluations, and satisfaction. Results: Most of the survey respondents, 63%, worked in a hospital setting. On average, survey respondents were directly accountable for generating half, 52%, of their salary. Salary covered by institutions was most frequently provided for nonrevenue generating activities such as administration and teaching. Most of the sample (78%) indicated clear performance expectations and criteria. Conclusions: Findings update and expand previously established benchmarks for work performance and have implications for the practice of pediatric psychology in an ever-changing health care environment. © The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved.