Question

Should Psychologists Be Allowed to Prescribe?

1.     Do you know if such a bill is being considered where you live?   

2.     Do you think it should be supported or opposed?

3.     What are the critical questions that should be answered by proponents of prescription privileges for psychologists?

Answer 1

Psychologist or clinical psychologists generally do not prescribe medication, although there is a growing movement for psychologist to have prescribing privileges. These medical privileges require additional training and education.

If pschychologist are allowed to prescribe drugs, what group will lobby for this privilege next?

No matter how well trained the pschychologist, that person is still not physician, and cannot have the fundamental knowledge that a licensed MD or DO would have in terms of side effects and drug interactions in persons with more than one medical condition. But psychologist and psychiatrists exist for two different, equally important reasons. They complement each other in their varying approaches to psychiatric phenomena, resulting in a more balanced treatment plan.