Prescribe Medication Disadvantages

165 Words1 Pages
Throughout the previous three decades, psychologists have advocated for the right to prescribe medication to their patients. Prior to the occurrence of this debate, a psychologist was primarily concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders, in comparison to psychiatrists who were primarily concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders through a broad understanding of psychopharmacology and the body. A psychologist is only required to obtain a PhD while a psychiatrist is required to obtain a MD, which draws the fine, distinctive line between the two professions; the ability to prescribe medication to patients. The debate regarding prescription privileges has a short but