Why are psychologists pursuing prescription privileges?
There are many answers to this question, but those most commonly put forward are: to make appropriate medications available to underserved populations; to increase the continuity of care for psychologist’s patients (psychotherapeutic as well as physical treatment available from the same provider); to increase the scope of practice of clinical psychology and to increase psychologists’ expertise and knowledge in the area of brain-behavior relationships. Many people do not have access to a psychiatrist. In 25 states, 10% of the population live in counties that do not have a psychiatrist but do have one or more psychologists. Almost 75% of the rural elderly live in counties that do not have psychiatrists.
