Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology updates


We intend for CPPP to describe the breadth of practice-related activities ranging from prevention to integrated primary care to more specialized areas.

 
By Jennifer Shroff Pendley and W. Douglas Tynan, PhD
 
The inaugural issue of Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology (CPPP) is in press, arriving around March 31, 2013. We received many high-quality submissions and are pleased with the interest in the new journal. We are joined by over 30 members of our editorial board, as well as many others who have agreed to serve as journal reviewers. We continue to add to our submission reviewer list, so please contact us if you are interested. Over the course of next year, we will identify associate editors who will assist in editing and help coordinate special issues.
 
Starting with our opening issue, we intend for CPPP to describe the breadth of practice-related activities ranging from prevention to integrated primary care to more specialized areas. We will include papers that highlight applied research and scientifically derived interventions in real-world settings. In light of rapid changes in health care, we also intend to remain current on state and federal policies that may affect our reimbursement and work.
 
Over the next five years, in the context of health care reform and emphasis on the medical home model, we expect the rise of new specialists and professionals, many of whom will focus on health behaviors. Psychology’s professional role in training and working with these new providers will be a challenge to be explored on this journal’s pages. Therefore, future issues also will include articles on professional training activities in health care settings, funding and reimbursement patterns as health care reforms unfold, increasing diversity in the psychology workforce, and evaluation of cost-effectiveness of clinical services.
 
In addition, we hope to develop innovative programs, such as those using new technologies, including Internet-based assessment and intervention, smart phone apps, texting, and other communication strategies. It will be critical for such interventions to be of high quality and to employ rigorous methodology in their evaluation; as unproven technological interventions become increasingly popular, we must disseminate findings that can inform both practitioners and the public.
 
Finally, case studies that include sufficient detail to permit replication will be strongly considered, including those featuring a series of similar cases. We hope that you will consider submitting your practice-oriented manuscripts to CPPP. When considering manuscript submissions, please keep the following points in mind.

 

Single-subject Designs and Small Group Studies

We seek applications of evidence-based treatments in clinical settings, rather than rare or unusual presentations. For example, we encourage submissions that focus on the application of an evidence-based treatment to a diverse population or in a difficult medical setting that also discusses the associated challenges and possible solutions. Alternatively, we are interested in new, innovative interventions that can provide the framework for future, larger-scale studies.

 

Program Development

Include outcome data and discuss program development practicalities in the applied setting. Remember to include sufficient information to allow for replication and to include links to manuals and other materials used to implement the program. We are particularly interested in programs addressing the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and practicalities of providing care within multidisciplinary clinics.

 

Preferred Practice Issues

We encourage papers relating to professional-practice issues, training, diversity, funding and cost-effectiveness of services, and workforce analyses. Include relevant data supporting these practice issues that would allow replication in other settings.

 

Traditional Research-based Studies

When examining adaptation to chronic illness or adherence, include clinical implications of the findings. Address how results will help clinicians provide more effective services.

 

Health Insurance Reform

We believe health insurance reform will be a key topic for at least the next five years. In order to ensure the profession’s relevance and longevity, psychology must play a key role in a health care system that may be increasingly focused on primary care and prevention. Policy reviews that highlight such opportunities for psychologists will be considered positively.

 

Health Promotion

Promotion of healthy habits often takes place outside of health care settings. Papers will be considered that discuss or evaluate healthpromotion/ disease-prevention programs based in schools, youth-serving organizations, and other settings that serve families and children.
 
As we launch this new journal, we will maintain a close relationship with the editors of Journal of Pediatric Psychology to maximize the benefit for our members. If you have questions about the appropriateness of a manuscript or if you would like to serve as a reviewer, please email Jennifer Pendley or Doug Tynan.