In recent years, clinical and developmental psychologists have been practicing in health care settings, including public health programs and hospitals. Psychologists have struggled to develop an identity in the health care setting and a medical-psychological theory for practicing as a consultant with medical patients. Because consultation/liaison practice requires practitioners to leave their offices and come into hospital wards and because of uncertain payment for this kind of practice, the participation and status of psychiatrists in this role is uncertain. In addition to preventing and treating psychological symptoms, the liaison psychologist or psychiatrist provides continuing education programs to help medical and nursing personnel handle patients' psychological needs. Psychiatrists and hospital administrators have developed a delivery system staffed by social service employees at a less expensive rate than paid to psychiatrists. Recent legislation in several areas allows hospital privileges for psychologists, who enter the hospital as autonomous and competent agents, rather than being employees under the supervision of psychiatrists or other physicians. A training model for psychologists that embraces the autonomous practitioner in the health care setting is needed. (SW)