SHOULD PSYCHOLOGISTS OBTAIN PRESCRIBING PRIVILEGES - A SURVEY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS

The question of whether psychologists should be granted prescribing pr ivileges has generated considerable interest and debate. Family physic ians' views are important because of their growing role as gatekeepers to specialty services and the frequency with which they encounter pat ients with mental health treatment needs. A national sample of family physicians was sent a questionnaire that assessed their current collab orative practices with psychologists and psychiatrists and their views about granting prescribing privileges to psychologists. The response rate was 40% (N = 397). High rates of communication and collaboration were reported. Most respondents opposed prescribing privileges for psy chologists. Subgroups of physicians differed, and certain medications (antidepressants, anxiolytics) appeared more acceptable than others fo r psychologists to prescribe. These results could provide impetus to t hose psychologists seeking prescribing privileges.