The Global Landscape of Neuropsychiatric Prescribing Practices of Nurses: A Scoping Review

Mental healthcare service access in South Africa is currently strained due to, among others, shortages of specialised mental healthcare professionals. The National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs (2023-2028) recommends enabling nurses to diagnose, prescribe and dispense neuropsychiatric medication for promoting mental health services. The aim was to explore and describe the existing practices, strengths and challenges for nurses prescribing neuropsychiatric medication globally through a scoping and document review. A standardised search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL and EBSCOHost electronic databases. An online Google search was conducted across governmental legislative and regulatory websites. The Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review framework was followed using relevant MeSH terms and free-text words. South African governmental and parastatal documentation relating to relevant regulatory frameworks affecting such prescribing authorisation in South Africa was analysed following Bowen (2009) guidelines. Of 817 citations identified, 20 reports were included. The included reports originated mostly from developed countries, with only one from South Africa. Patients and healthcare professionals were mostly positive towards including the prescription of neuropsychiatric medication in the nursing care model. Prescription of Schedule 5 and 6 controlled substances by nurses is already authorised in the USA and UK. In South Africa, nurses are not yet permitted and will require amendments to the legislative framework that guides nursing practice. Nurses can prescribe neuropsychiatric medications in certain developed countries; however, contextual research is necessary to ascertain whether South African stakeholders will support such an authorisation. Educational and interprofessional concerns will need to be thoroughly assessed to ensure that appropriate competencies are obtained, ensuring the boundaries of the scope of practice. Investigation of potential professional overlap of responsibilities and perceptional biases, as well as transformation of educational platforms, will be needed should such a recommendation come to pass. Furthermore, legislative changes will be required to authorise the prescription of neuropsychiatric medications.