WASHINGTON, May 27, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
American Psychological Association hailed the enactment today of a
law making Iowa the fourth state
in the country to authorize licensed clinical psychologists with
advanced specialized training to prescribe certain medications for
the treatment of mental health disorders.
"This is a landmark decision that will improve access to a wide
range of mental health services," said Katherine C. Nordal, PhD APA's executive
director for professional practice. "Increasing access to mental
health care is critical given the increase of major depressive
disorders among Iowa's youth and
the number of people over 65 experiencing a diagnosable mental
illness."
Signed into law by Iowa Democratic Gov. Terry E. Branstad, this measure grants
prescriptive authority to Iowa
licensed psychologists who have successfully completed a
post-doctoral master of science degree in clinical
psychopharmacology, a supervised practicum in clinical assessment
and pathophysiology, and passed a national examination. These
requirements are in addition to the education and training required
to become a licensed psychologist -- an average of seven years of
graduate education beyond the four years of undergraduate work, and
several years of supervised clinical training.
Psychologists in Iowa will also
need to complete a two-year conditional prescribing period under a
licensed physician's supervision to be eligible for independent
prescriptive authority. For psychologists who treat special
populations such as children, the elderly or people with comorbid
physical conditions, this will include completion of a year of
supervised conditional prescribing. Prescribing psychologists must
maintain a collaborative relationship with the patient's physician.
The law also directs the state board of psychology to work with the
state medical board in drafting the implementation rules.
Elizabeth Lonning, PsyD, of the
Iowa Psychological Association, lauded the governor's action.
"Signing this legislation into law is a great step toward
increasing accessibility to mental health care for all Iowans, many
of whom currently have to wait months or drive long distances to
receive treatment," she said.
"We also want to thank Senator [Joe]
Bolkcom and Representative [Linda]
Miller for sponsoring this legislation, and all the
legislators who voted in support of this bill."
Two-thirds of counties in Iowa
do not have a single psychiatrist, making it difficult for patients
in need of medication for mental health disorders to receive it
from a psychiatrist. It can take months to get an appointment and
even if they are able to find a doctor with available appointments,
patients may have to drive an hour or more to get care,
particularly if they live outside of major urban areas such as
Des Moines or Iowa City. This new law will directly address
these access issues by increasing the number of available providers
to prescribe medications.
A 2014 annual report of health in Iowa issued by the Iowa Department of Public
Health revealed that 18.7 percent adults in the state reported
having a depressive episode. According to a 2014 report from the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration covering
2009-13, 51.2 percent of adolescents and 50.7 percent of adults in
Iowa with depression and/or a
major mental illness did not receive treatment.
New Mexico was the first state
to pass a prescribing law for psychologists in 2002. Louisiana followed in 2004 and Illinois in 2014.
Elizabeth Lonning, PsyD can be
contacted by email at doceal@aol.com.
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific
and professional organization representing psychology in
the United States. APA's
membership includes more than 117,500 researchers, educators,
clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54
subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial
and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the
creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge
to benefit society and improve people's lives.
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SOURCE American Psychological Association