Cannabis Ruderalis

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There are several core arguments put forth by RxP advocates, including the following:
There are several core arguments put forth by RxP advocates, including the following:


* Other non-physicians have prescription privileges, such as optometrists, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, pharmacists.<ref name="ericson">Ericson, Robert. (02/09/2002 ). [http://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/guest_columns/guest02-09-02.htm Prescription Privilege Based on Proven Model]. ''Albuquerque Journal''. Retrieved July 28, 2007.</ref>
* Other non-physicians have prescription privileges, such as optometrists, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and pharmacists.<ref name="ericson">Ericson, Robert. (02/09/2002 ). [http://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/guest_columns/guest02-09-02.htm Prescription Privilege Based on Proven Model]. ''Albuquerque Journal''. Retrieved July 28, 2007.</ref>
* The training model is proven based on a complete lack of legal complaint after eight years regarding the practice of the initial ten psychologists trained by the U.S. [[Department of Defense]].<ref name="ericson"/>
* The training model is proven based on a complete lack of legal complaint after eight years regarding the practice of the initial ten psychologists trained by the U.S. [[Department of Defense]].<ref name="ericson"/>
* Access to medication would be immediate as opposed to long waiting times that are sometimes necessary to see a specialist.<ref name="heiby">Heiby, E., DeLeon, P., and Anderson, T. (2004). A Debate on Prescription Privileges for Psychologists. ''Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 35(4),'' 336.</ref>
* It would not come at the expense of adequate training in the science of psychology, assessment, or psychotherapy because such education would be post-doctoral.<ref name="heiby"/>
* It would address the fact that many lack access to psychiatrists (especially in rural areas) and must therefore look to general practitioners who are generally under-trained regarding psychotropic medications.<ref name="nappp">NAPPP. (2006). ''[http://www.nappp.org/rxpbill.php NAPPP Sponsors Prescriptive Authority Legislation].'' Retrieved July 28, 2007.</ref><ref name="king">King, Craig. (2006). Prescriptive Authority for Psychologists Working in the Public Sector: Is it Needed? ''Public Service Psychology, 31(1),'' 2.</ref>
* It would address the fact that many lack access to psychiatrists (especially in rural areas) and must therefore look to general practitioners who are generally under-trained regarding psychotropic medications.<ref name="nappp">NAPPP. (2006). ''[http://www.nappp.org/rxpbill.php NAPPP Sponsors Prescriptive Authority Legislation].'' Retrieved July 28, 2007.</ref><ref name="king">King, Craig. (2006). Prescriptive Authority for Psychologists Working in the Public Sector: Is it Needed? ''Public Service Psychology, 31(1),'' 2.</ref>
* It would make a clear separation between doctoral and masters-level practitioners.<ref name="nappp">NAPPP. (2006). ''[http://www.nappp.org/rxpbill.php NAPPP Sponsors Prescriptive Authority Legislation].'' Retrieved July 28, 2007.</ref>
* It would make a clear separation between doctoral and masters-level practitioners.<ref name="nappp">NAPPP. (2006). ''[http://www.nappp.org/rxpbill.php NAPPP Sponsors Prescriptive Authority Legislation].'' Retrieved July 28, 2007.</ref>
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<references/>


[[Category:Mental health law]]
[[Category:Mental health law]]

Revision as of 21:20, 28 July 2007

The Prescriptive authority for psychologists (RxP) movement is a political effort to give prescriptive authority to clinical psychologists, enabling them to prescribe psychotropic medications to treat mental and emotional disorders. Prior to RxP legislation and in states where it has not been passed, this role is played by psychiatrists, who possess a medical degree and thus the authority to prescribe medication. The movement is a reaction to the growing public need for mental health services, particularly in less urbanized and therefore underserved areas where patients have little or no access to psychiatrists. [1]

In states where RxP legislation has been passed, psychologists who wish to be granted prescriptive authority must possess a doctoral level degree (PhD/PsyD) and a license to practice, and undergo rigorous post-doctoral education and training. The medications they may prescribe are limited to those indicated for mental and emotional health problems; the specific list of approved medications differs by state. The psychologist is required to collaborate with a physician on treatment.

There are several core arguments put forth by RxP advocates, including the following:

  • Other non-physicians have prescription privileges, such as optometrists, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and pharmacists.[2]
  • The training model is proven based on a complete lack of legal complaint after eight years regarding the practice of the initial ten psychologists trained by the U.S. Department of Defense.[2]
  • Access to medication would be immediate as opposed to long waiting times that are sometimes necessary to see a specialist.[3]
  • It would not come at the expense of adequate training in the science of psychology, assessment, or psychotherapy because such education would be post-doctoral.[3]
  • It would address the fact that many lack access to psychiatrists (especially in rural areas) and must therefore look to general practitioners who are generally under-trained regarding psychotropic medications.[4][5]
  • It would make a clear separation between doctoral and masters-level practitioners.[4]
  • It would allow the psychologist control of the entire treatment process, which would avoid the complications of interprofessional collaboration while also saving clients money.[4]
  • Adding competence to consult with general practitioners who need professional advice regarding psychotropic medications.[6]
  • Psychopharmaceutical training allows for better client advocacy.[6]

Opposition

Opponents argue that the required training programs are too short and that psychologists completing this training will not be adequately equipped to understand the biomedical effects of a medication and thus anticipate possible adverse reactions, interactions with other medications or side effects, thus putting patient safety at risk. [7]

Additionally, critics express concern that, if RxP became the norm, the biomedical approach would begin to encroach on the traditional psychology curriculum and clinicians in training would receive less grounding in psychotherapeutic interventions and research. [8]

History

In 1988, the U.S. Department of Defense approved a pilot project to train psychologists in issuing psychotropic medications "under certain circumstances". Guam became the first U.S. territory to approve RxP legislation in 1999. New Mexico became the first state to approve RxP legislation in 2002, and Louisiana followed in 2004. As of April 2007, 5 other states have introduced RxP bills that are under discussion but have yet to be approved. [9] [10]

References

  1. ^ Murray, Bridget (October, 2003). "A Brief History of RxP". APA Monitor. Retrieved 4/11/2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b Ericson, Robert. (02/09/2002 ). Prescription Privilege Based on Proven Model. Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  3. ^ a b Heiby, E., DeLeon, P., and Anderson, T. (2004). A Debate on Prescription Privileges for Psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 35(4), 336.
  4. ^ a b c NAPPP. (2006). NAPPP Sponsors Prescriptive Authority Legislation. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  5. ^ King, Craig. (2006). Prescriptive Authority for Psychologists Working in the Public Sector: Is it Needed? Public Service Psychology, 31(1), 2.
  6. ^ a b Holloway, Jennifer. (2004). Gaining prescriptive knowledge. Monitor on Psychology, 35(6), 22
  7. ^ Barrett, Stephen (April, 2002). "Why Psychologists Should Not Be Licensed to Prescribe Psychiatric Drugs". Society for the Science of Clinical Psychology. Retrieved 4/11/2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  8. ^ Soares, Christine (July, 2002). "Inner Turmoil: Prescription privileges make some psychologists anxious". Scientific American. Retrieved 4/11/2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  9. ^ Murray, Bridget (October, 2003). "A Brief History of RxP". APA Monitor. Retrieved 4/11/2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  10. ^ Munsey, Christopher (June, 2006). "RxP legislation made historic progress in Hawaii". APA Monitor. Retrieved 4/11/2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)

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