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Managed care significantly affects the service delivery patterns, business structures, ethics, and professional concerns of independent practitioners. This survey assessed psychologists' perceptions of the effects of managed care on practice and ethics. Most respondents reported significant increases in dependence on managed care services for income. Negative effects included loss of control over clinical decisions and potential harm to patients from erosion of confidentiality. A majority of respondents reported encountering ethical concerns not addressed by the American Psychological Association ethics code. Findings suggest directions for practice development, for public policy addressing confidentiality, and for clarification of ethical responsibilities.

The article discloses the issue of shootings occurring in U.S. schools, wherein the crimes were based on revenge. Various school-based shooting cases are listed on the table including the one at Grayson, Kentucky on January 18, 1993 caused by Gary Scott Pennington, another in Lynnville, Tennessee on November 15, 1995 caused by Jamie Rouse, and the one in Pearl, Mississippi on October 1, 1997 caused by Luke Woodham. The shootings, known as Classroom Avenger attacks, were allegedly caused by Caucasian high school or middle school students, whose family backgrounds were impacted by divorce, separation of parents, and implosions within a parent-child relationship.

The purpose of this article is to examine the proper role of the psychologist who serves as a consultant to a hostage negotiation team. Mental health consultants can be beneficial to law enforcement during these times of crisis if they are aware of the appropriate role they play. This article discusses preferred characteristics of a mental health professional serving in this capacity and focuses on the various tasks required of a psychologist on the scene of a barricade.

Death notification is among the most unpleasant and uncomfortable tasks a law enforcement officer undertakes. For years, law enforcement officers have been performing notifications that involved life threatening injuries or death from tragedies including suicide. Unfortunately, many officers have performed this task without appropriate training. Performing notifications can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Expressing the right words, understanding families' emotions, and responding with empathy are paramount. The attitude, demeanor, professionalism, and sensitivity of law enforcement officers projected during a notification are critical. The delivery of a notification can remain etched in a family member's memory forever. Many notifications have left family members with the perception that law enforcement officers are callous, thoughtless, and insensitive. This negative perception can be overcome through training and practice. This article presents several factors that supervisors and officers should consider in the notification process and offers guidelines to consider to best serve your agency and the community.