LAUSR

ABSTRACT Little is known about the comparative knowledge base and use of testing among psychiatrists and psychologists, although both groups are asked to make critical diagnostic decisions based on test results. In this research, 102 psychiatrists and 108 psychologists (approximately half in forensic practice) completed a survey on psychological testing. Psychologists reported more knowledge about tests of trauma and tests of malingering than psychiatrists, but both psychologists and psychiatrists were less knowledgeable about malingering tests as compared to other psychological tests. Psychiatrists also reported greater expertise than did psychologists in tests of psychotic process. Although both psychologists and psychiatrists preferred diagnostic decisions based on interview and testing rather than interview alone, psychologists rated the incremental utility of testing more strongly than did psychiatrists. More than 85% of psychologists and approximately two-thirds of psychiatrists reported that testing plus interview was more likely than interview alone to yield an accurate diagnosis. Psychiatrists showed more faith in the clinical interview as a sole diagnostic instrument than did psychologists, and psychiatrists were less likely than psychologists to report that the inclusion of malingering tests was crucial in forensic settings.