Benchmarks for Work Performance of Pediatric Psychologists

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. Key words benchmarks; pediatric psychology; productivity; professional activity. Many psychologists work in pediatric medical setting