PRESCRIPTION PRIVILEGES FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS - A REVIEW OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL LITERATURE

A general overview of the prescription privileges debate and the relat ed policy issues is presented. Various experiments with psychologists prescribing medications are then reviewed. Next, the survey data to da te are summarized. Finally, position papers on both sides of the issue are reviewed. The authors attempt to review objectively both sides of the argument, to critique the existing data, and to assist readers in appreciating the breadth and scope of the prescription privileges deb ate. The purpose of this article is not to support either side but, ra ther, to provide a sufficient review of the literature, which will all ow psychologists to form more informed opinions on where they stand on the issue.