The impact of managed care on psychologists' ability to accurately diagnose, treat and perceive their clients

It has been demonstrated psychologists are more likely to over-diagnose clients to obtain reimbursement if clients are using insurance (Pomerantz & Segrist, 2006). Although diagnoses are helpful in providing direction for treatment plans, incorrect diagnoses may be stigmatizing and result in flawed care (Wahl, 1999). Using an experimental design with video vignettes simulating therapy sessions, this paper will explore whether psychologists tend to excessively believe in false diagnoses when forced to provide them, as well as whether those labels negatively affect psychologists' opinions of clients. Hierarchical multiple regression will be used to determine if those in the group forced to diagnose a client tend to over-diagnose and have a more negative opinion of the client.