Do clinical psychologists have a role in clients' use of psychotropic medication? A mixed methods investigation exploring current forms of involvement.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore whether clinical psychologists in the United Kingdom (UK) have a role with their clients' psychotropic medication by exploring forms of involvement undertaken, and decision-making behind involvement.

DESIGN

A mixed methods design was employed; 147 clinical psychologists took part in an online survey, and 11 respondents were interviewed, selected using intensity sampling.

METHODS

Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyse the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively.

RESULTS

All respondents reported having some role with their clients' psychotropic medication. A thematic map diagram was created to capture the process of how clinical psychologists choose to become involved.

CONCLUSIONS

Consensus was reached in that clinical psychologists do have a role with their clients' psychotropic medication, although this varies by clinician and takes on many forms. In the light of the changing role, professional guidance would help to promote clarity and consistency.

PRACTITIONER POINTS

Clinical psychologists are regularly engaging in roles in relation to their clients' psychotropic medication use despite little guidance or training. Findings identify a range of specific roles in relation to psychotropic medication that psychologists can take including formulating the impact of psychotropic medication, supplying information to support informed consent and withdrawal, and questioning and challenging use of psychotropic medication with colleagues and prescribers. There is a need for further research and consideration around roles given movements towards prescribing rights for psychologists (by the British Psychological Society) and recent guidance published for psychological therapists on enabling conversations with clients withdrawing from or taking psychiatric drugs (Guy et al., 2019, Guidance for psychological therapists: Enabling conversations with clients taking or withdrawing from prescribed psychiatric drugs, APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence, London, UK).