Prescribing privileges for psychologists among university students in Islamabad

Psychologists as part of a team, make important contributions for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. New Mexico and Louisiana in United States have recently granted prescribing privileges to psychologists who have successfully completed additional training. This study determined the opinions of conveniently selected university students in Islamabad on clinical psychologists being granted similar prescribing privileges after additional training and certification by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). Four hundred and five students completed the questionnaires; with 51 students enrolled in Psychology departments who were excluded from the reported analysis. One hundred and sixty-five respondents were male (46.6%), and 189 (53.4%) were female. Two hundred and seventy-six (78%) students were enrolled in masters, while the rest in higher degree programme. Cumulatively, 272 (76.8%) students believed that after additional training, clinical psychologists may be allowed to prescribe drugs for the treatment of psychiatric disorders by the PMDC. This viewpoint was reinforced by the act that 264 (74.6%) students replied affirmatively to the question that they would feel comfortable in referring a friend or taking a family member to a clinical psychologist who is trained in prescribing drugs. Results of our study demonstrated that university students in our study were overwhelmingly in favour of prescribing privileges for psychologists in Pakistan. Professional bodies like PMDC and Pakistan Psychological Association need to broach this subject for greater access to psychiatric services in the country.