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. 2021 Mar 31;11(2):64-69.
doi: 10.9740/mhc.2021.03.064. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Survey of prescriptive authority among psychiatric pharmacists in the United States

Kelly C Lee  1 , Richard J Silvia  2 , Carla D Cobb  3 , Tera D Moore  4 , Gregory H Payne  5
Affiliations

Survey of prescriptive authority among psychiatric pharmacists in the United States

Kelly C Lee et al. Ment Health Clin. .

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence of those with mental illnesses, there is a critical shortage of psychiatric providers in the United States. Psychiatric pharmacists are valuable members of the health care team who meet patient care needs, especially those practicing with prescriptive authority (PA).

Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey was administered to Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists (BCPPs) and non-BCPP members of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. The objective of this study was to compare demographic and practice characteristics between respondents with and without PA.

Results: 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).

Discussion: The current study confirms the variability in PA among psychiatric pharmacists. Demographics of the respondents reflect changes in residency accreditation and increased numbers of psychiatric residencies within VA facilities. Psychiatric pharmacists with PA reported treating psychiatric and medical conditions, creating added value. Psychiatric pharmacists should be empowered to track outcomes and help meet the critical shortage of psychiatric providers.

Keywords: Veterans Affairs; prescriptive authority; psychiatric pharmacist; survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: The authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Rates of prescriptive authority by geographic region (n = 334), missing geographic data for 14 respondents, percentages for each graph represent the percentage of all prescriptive authority respondents within that region (P < .05 comparing Northeast vs West)
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Comparison of rates of prescriptive authority (PA) and treatment of medical illnesses, (left) rates of treating medical illness in those with and without PA, (right) rates of PA in those treating and not treating medical illnesses (Psych Dx = psychiatric diagnosis)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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