In response to the American Medical Association’s recent Scope of Practice Initiative, 33 organizations of licensed healthcare professionals have joined together to form the Coalition for Patients’ Rights. According to CPR, the AMA initiative was formed to limit patients’ access to their choice of healthcare professionals. It has the potential to severely limit the scope of practice for professionals who have earned their Master of Science in Psychology and intend to practice in the field of healthcare.
CPR defines scope of practice as “the range of health care-related activities and services which a healthcare professional is educated, certified or licensed to provide.” For example, a psychiatrist who has completed medical school can legally prescribe medications, whereas a professional with a Master of Science in Psychology may not prescribe medication in most states.
Limiting the scope of practice of qualified health practitioners can significantly reduce patients’ access to proper care. A recent article in Monitor on Psychology noted that the average wait to see a psychiatrist in the state-run health insurance system TennCare is twelve weeks. Allowing those patients to see a healthcare professional with a Master of Science in Psychology or a PhD in Psychology instead could dramatically cut down wait times, thereby improving patient care.
It is interesting to note that organized psychiatry resisted the ability of graduates with a Master of Science in Psychology to see patients independently in the 1960′s and 1970′s. The scope of practice for psychologists has been expanding over the decades and has even grown to include the permission to prescribe medication in Louisiana and New Mexico. This is an exciting trend for the profession of psychology and even better news for patients who cannot afford the services of a psychiatrist.
The demand for professionals with a Master of Science in Psychology is expected to grow faster than other professions through the year 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Individuals who are emotionally stable, compassionate, able to communicate effectively, and capable of leading people are most likely to succeed in the profession. Many aspiring professionals are choosing to attend distance education programs in order to maintain current responsibilities while completing coursework. Advances in technology have allowed schools such as Capella University to offer a variety of high quality, specialized programs in areas such as their Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and General Psychology. Prospective students are encouraged to visit College-Pages.com for a complete list of available programs.
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Westwood College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to providing quality, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to launch, enhance, or change careers. The College offers broad access to education and serves a diverse, multicultural body of students in an environment that promotes pride, respect, and teamwork. The College's programs are designed to empower students to pursue their individual career goals.
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Our programs are current, in depth, and job oriented. A sound educational background, combined with "hands-on" experience, is required to meet the needs of an ever-changing and increasingly technical society.
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At ITT Tech we are committed to helping men and women develop the skills and knowledge to pursue many opportunities in fields involving technology, criminal justice, and business.
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Saint Leo University Online is a leading provider of accredited online education to working adults and is a major global provider of education to the military. The online programs are designed to meet the growing needs of adult students and offer the best attributes of traditional classroom education in conjunction with today's most innovative computer technology.
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Newbridge College provides high-quality, career specific training and an emphasis on practical skills required by today's employers.
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Once you decide to become part of the expanding, exciting, and in-demand world of healthcare, selecting the best college to meet your needs and goals is clearly one of your most important decisions. Medical Careers Institute, the School of Health Science of ECPI College of Technology, understands the aspirations of people who want to experience the rewards of caring and who want a direct route toward their career goal.
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Courses that you can take with you---the varied curriculums at HoHoKus Rets School of Business have been evaluated by the American Council on Education, allowing graduates to earn up to 55 college credits at more than 1500 colleges and universities across the nation.
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Find out why so many students in Florida and nationwide are choosing Southern Tech as their school of choice. Whether you need to upgrade your skills or change careers, we have the right program to fit your needs. Let us show you how to get the skills you need in a short amount of time so that you can get into your career today!
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Bellevue University, a leader in adult learning, is your best choice. We accept ALL of the credit in your associate's degree - that's EVERY credit in your A.A.S, A.S., A.G.S., and A.A. degree! And, Bellevue University gives you accelerated bachelor's degree completion 100% ONLINE. So, you enroll with your associate's degree, and complete your bachelor's degree in as little as 12 months.
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Tags: health care, phd in psychology, psychology degree
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