Psychiatric pharmacists experience a significant variability in their prescriptive authority. Their demographics reflect changes in residency accreditation and increased numbers of psychiatric residencies within VA facilities. Those with prescriptive authority reported treating psychiatric and medical conditions, creating added value. Expansion of psychiatric pharmacist services, including prescriptive authority, should be considered as a viable addition to the care provided to patients with mental illness, especially in areas where there is a shortage of such services.
A cross-sectional electronic survey was administered to Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists (BCPPs) and non-BCPP members of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists. The objective of this study was to compare demographic and practice characteristics between respondents with and without prescriptive authority (PA).
Of the 334 respondents, 155 (46.4%) reported having PA. Those with PA, including those with Veterans Affairs (VA) affiliated PA, had fewer mean number of years of licensure than those without PA (P = .008 and P = .007, respectively). The majority with PA practiced in outpatient settings (53.5%). Respondents with PA (including those with VA-affiliated PA) were more likely to have their positions funded by practice sites (P < .001). The most common referral source for medication management for those with PA were physicians although pharmacists also provided referrals in both VA and non-VA settings. Pharmacists with PA were more likely to track practice outcomes versus those without PA (P < .001).
Lee KC, Silvia RJ, Cobb CD, Moore TD, Payne GH. Survey of prescriptive authority among psychiatric pharmacists in the United States. Ment Health Clin [Internet]. 2021;11(2):64-9. DOI: 10.9740/mhc.2021.03.064.