Clinical decision-making among professionals and paraprofessionals.

ABSTRACT

Investigated the clinical decision-making process among three groups of mental health workers. Ss were 32 paraprofessionals, 11 social workers, and 13 clinical psychologists. Each S conducted two stimulated intake interviews and decided at certain times during the procedure whether the client was (a) in need of medication; (b) suicidal; and (c) in need of hospitalization. Results revealed that the professionals displayed no greater consensus in their decisions than did the paraprofessionals. The professionals, especially the psychologists, were more confident of their decisions, but only when it was appropriate (i.e., on questions on which they had reached some consensus). The psychologists were most consistent and focused in their manner of gathering information. The majority of Ss reached their decisions early in the interviews.