Psychologists and Medications in the Era of Interprofessional Care: Collaboration Is Less Problematic and Costly Than Prescribing

Increasing emphasis on interprofessionalism and teamwork in healthcare renders psychologists' collaborations critical and invites reexamination of psychologists' roles related to medications. The C ollaboration L evel outlined by the A merican P sychological A ssociation's A d H oc T ask F orce is more achievable and in synch with health reform than prescription privileges ( R x P ). R x P remains controversial due to training and safety concerns, lacking support from health professionals, psychologists, and consumers. Differences in educational preparation of psychologists relative to prescribing professionals are discussed. Enactment of only three of 170 R x P initiatives reveals R x P to be a costly, ineffectual agenda. Alternatives (e.g., integrated care, collaboration, telehealth) increase access without risks associated with lesser medical knowledge. Concerns about R x P and the movement toward team‐based care warrant reconsideration of the profession's objectives regarding psychopharmacology.