Clinical Psychiatric Analysis

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The most significant difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist has always been the ability to prescribe medication. This has been the greatest defining difference that most people see between those two professions. Clinical psychologists have recently perused prescription privileges these days. A former president of the American Psychological Association, Patrick H. DeLeon, and many others has also promoted the movement as well (Pomerantz 50). But clinical psychologists still do not have the privilege to proscribe medications, except for two cases. In two states, New Mexico and Louisiana, clinical psychologists have been granted prescription privileges to those whom had specialized training (Pomerantz 50). However, it is still debated …show more content…
Some estimate that more than 80% of prescriptions written for psychotic medications are by primary care physicians (Pomerantz 51). But primary care physicians do not have specialized training in mental health concerns like clinical psychologists and psychiatrists do. When it comes to mental health problems, clinical psychologists can better diagnose and treat their patients with the right medication better than primary care physicians can. It is also is much more convenient for the patients as well if clinical psychologists prescribe medication (Pomerantz 51). It is pretty annoying when one has to go to multiple professionals to treat a problem. There is also the possibility that there can be miscommunication between the two professionals when it comes to treatment and would be a huge disadvantage to the patient (Pomerantz 51). Another advantage that clinical psychologists should prescribe medication is for financial reasons. Clinical psychologists make less than psychiatrists do and therefore with these privileges would make increase revenue for them (Pomerantz …show more content…
Unless all psychologists prescribe medication, which might be way far down the line, there could be an identity crisis within the clinical psychology profession (Pomerantz 53). How would people know who can prescribe and who couldn’t? There is no good way to inform the public about the profession and where to get help, so why create the confusion (Pomerantz 53)? An additional concern is the potential influence of the pharmaceutical industry on clinical psychologist (Pomerantz 54). There have been many reports of drug companies attempting to increase their profits by “bribing” psychiatrists into using their medication that they are selling (Pomerantz 54). Some challengers believe that if clinical psychologists are able to prescribe medication that pharmaceutical companies will target and pressure them more in order to make more profit (Pomerantz

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