The revised 2019 standards for psychopharmacological training: Model education and training program in psychopharmacology for prescriptive authority.

Abstract

The American Psychological Association (APA), under the oversight of the Board of Educational Affairs, and the Board of Professional Affairs, is responsible for the education and training of psychologists in prescriptive authority. All APA standards and guidelines are required by Association Rule 30 -8.3 to be revised at least every 10 years. The standards for training psychologists in the safe and responsible practice of prescribing psychotropic medication have been recently updated (Model Education and Training Program in Psychopharmacology for Prescriptive Authority, APA, 2019). A departure from the 1996 and 2009 versions of that document is that training may now be conducted at the doctoral level; however, a postdoctoral supervised clinical fellowship can only occur after the attainment of licensure as a practicing psychologist. Two novel features of the 2019 revision are the use of a competency-based model of learning and assessment, and increased emphasis on supervised clinical experiences in physical assessment and medication management. By the time of completion of their fellowships, practicing psychologists are expected to have clinical competence in the measurement and interpretation of vital signs; neurological examination; therapeutic drug monitoring; systems of care; pharmacology; clinical pharmacology; psychopharmacological research; and finally, professional, ethical, and legal issues. The updated standards were approved as APA policy in February 2019. This article briefly reviews the revision process and highlights the updates made in the most recent version of the standards.

Prescriptive authority for psychologists: The next step.

“…In all five states, prescribing psychologists must work closely with the patient’s primary health care provider (PCP) on prescribing decisions. Every state where RxP is legal requires that prescribing psychologists engage in continuing education (see Brown et al, 2021). Training requirements for each state are listed in Table 2.…”

“…Doctoral students may begin their coursework if they are enrolled in an APA-approved doctoral program in health service psychology. A student may also be admitted if enrolled in an instructional or an "accredited body recognized by the U.S. secretary of education, for the accreditation of health service psychology" (Brown et al, 2021).…”

“…The passing of a capstone evaluation is the final requirement to obtain a certification of completion. The 2019 APA model curriculum requires students to pass specific competencies in supervised clinical experiences, have quality training in physical assessment, and learn how to appropriately and effectively meet the needs of patients from diverse backgrounds (Brown et al, 2021, p. 158).…”

“…Prescribing psychologists are now employed at military facilities (Kennedy, 2020; Shearer, 2012), the Indian Health Service (Sutherland & Tulkin, 2012), Public Health Service (Brown et al, 2021), integrated medical clinics (McGrath, 2012; McGuinness, 2012; Tulkin, 2012), hospitals (DeLeon, 2021), and family practice residency programs (Hoover & Andazola, 2012; Shearer et al, 2012). Primary care psychology has been discussed as a career path for prescribing psychologists (McGrath & Sammons, 2011).…”

Toward a new predoctoral model: Education and training in clinical psychopharmacology.

“…Additionally, the new criteria require that programs incorporate competency-based assessment in their curricula, and provide greater emphasis during clinical training to physical assessment and medication management. For additional information regarding the newly revised designation criteria for psychopharmacology education and training, the reader is referred to Brown et al (2021), which provides an in depth review of the history, contextual framework, revisions, and rationales for these changes. Clinical psychopharmacology as a specialty area allows for predoctoral and postdoctoral education and training.…”