Psychologists' Hospital Admitting Privileges Psychologists' Hospital Admitting Privileges These talking points are based on the Statement of the American Psychiatric Association on Hospital Staff Privileges for Psychologists, presented to the State of Maryland Senate Finance Committee, by Melvin Sabshin, M.D., APA Medical Director on March 2, 1989. The ultimate issue in whether or not to allow non-physician psychologists hospital admission privileges is the quality of care for severely mentally ill patients who require treatment in an inpatient facility. While no one disputes the right of psychologists to pursue opportunities to increase their incomes, it should not be done at the cost of sacrificing quality medical care. Psychologists argue that continuity of care for their clients is paramount, however, our concern is that persons hospitalized because of mental illness have access to high quality medical care by medically trained physicians.
Psychologists do play an important role in providing hospital-based care.
There are times when it is appropriate for a psychologist to provide psychotherapy, but that does not mean that psychologists are qualified to take diagnostic responsibility or to formulate and implement a treatment plan. The diagnostic task is further complicated by the possibility of multiple diagnoses, multiple interacting causes and the need for continuous evaluation and re-evaluation. A particularly important component of psychiatric treatment for hospital patients involves consideration of a wide range of psychotropic medications as well as other, non-psychotropic medications. Treating hospitalized mentally ill patients without knowing how to use medications is like treating diabetics without knowing how to use insulin. When a patient is seen and admitted to the hospital by a professional unequipped to evaluate both the physical and mental components of a mental disorder, the rate of misdiagnosis can only be expected to increase.