Medical staff membership and clinical privileges: A survey of hospital-affiliated psychologists.

Abstract

A survey of 582 hospital-affiliated psychologists was conducted regarding the hospital clinical privileges of psychologists. Response rate was 72.2%. Results suggested that although psychologists are making progress in gaining medical staff membership and associated clinical privileges, this progress is slow. Analyses suggest that most psychologists have the privilege to conduct testing, therapy, and research independently of physicians; however, many still lack these basic privileges. Additionally, other privileges such as admission, discharge, and ordering medical referrals are afforded to only a very limited number of psychologists. Satisfaction ratings of current levels of privilege were compared across three levels of clinical privileges for 18 privileges. Results indicated that psychologists are most satisfied with the full, independent level of privilege for all 18 privileges.

Psychologists in public inpatient psychiatric settings: Ethical dilemmas.

“…Although the main problem may be a turf issue, the general argument from those in the medical profession is that psychologists lack the training and experience to adequately recognize and treat medical problems that are a part of and that contribute to severe psychiatric conditions. In addition, most psychologists are restricted from engaging in certain frequently used interventions, such as ordering medical procedures and prescribing medications (Litwin, Boswell, & Kraft, 1991).…”

Limited prescription privileges for psychologists: A 1-year follow up.

“…The evolution of professional practice in psychology is currently experiencing a period of growth. Modest gains in the acquisition of hospital-based clinical privileges and full medical staff membership have been documented (Dorken & Webb, 1979; Dorken, Webb, & Zaro, 1982; Litwin, Boswell, & Kraft, 1991; Thompson & Matarazzo, 1984). Most evidence suggests, however, that hospital-affiliated psychologists continue to function as less than autonomous professionals within this setting and that efforts to change the status quo will be met with resistance (Enright, Resnick, DeLeon, Sciara, & Tanney, 1990).…”

The history of rural hospital psychology.

“…This figure grew rapidly. By 1983, 13% of medical schools in the United States granted full privileges to psychologist faculty members in hospitals (Carr, 1987;Litwin, Boswell, & Kraft, 1991;Thompson, 1987). In 1982, 10% of all psychologists were working primarily in hospitals (Manderscheid & Sonnenschein, 1991).…”