A strategic approach to sustainable growth of the psychological professions' workforce in physical healthcare.

Psychological practice in physical healthcare results in better recovery and outcomes for patients/service users and their families and/or carers. Therefore, psychological professionals working in physical and integrated healthcare are ideally placed to make a significant impact on health and wellbeing outcomes and prevention of future disease. This is not yet reflected in health care strategic delivery, with psychological practice within physical health care often reliant on time-limited funding and subject to regional variation in commissioning. This paper outlines the key issues and presents the case for change. This includes recommendations for education, supervision, leadership and outcomes measurement to support a more comprehensive approach to psychological practice, and the sustainable growth of the psychological professions' workforce in physical healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]