Psychiatry

Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that diagnoses, treats, and studies mental illness and behavioral conditions. While all physicians will encounter patients with mental illnesses and any of them may treat it, psychiatrists specialize in these areas, being more extensively trained in the differential diagnosis (distinguishing various forms) and treatment of mental illness and are professionally required to keep up to date on the newest developments in the field of mental illness. Additionally psychologists, nurse practitioners, and social workers can provide psychiatric care though of these only the nurse practitioners may prescribe medication.

Reference

• Martin JB. The integration of neurology, psychiatry and neuroscience in the 21st century. Am J Psychiatry 2002; 159:695-704. Fulltext. PMID 11986119.

Advanced practice psychiatric nurses: 2003 legislative update, Judith Haber, APRN, BC, PhD, FAAN, et al., Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, December 2003 Beyond asking your doctor, Layne Oliff, PharmD, MBA, Pharmaceutical Executive, February 2004 FAQ?s about psychiatric nursing, www.apna.org, American Psychiatric Nurses Association NPs and PAs: A growing sphere of influence, Elisabeth Pena, PharmaVoice, December 2003. Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists in psychiatry, Q&A Questionnaire Design and Analysis LLC, May 2004. The professionalization of psychiatric nursing, Anita Boling, RN, MSN, CNS, Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, October 2003. Resources American Psychiatric Nurses Association (703) 243-2443 www.apna.org1555 Wilson Blvd, Suite 602 Arlington, Virginia 22209 Current Psychiatry (201) 505-5887 www.CurrentPsychiatry.com110 Summit Avenue, Montvale NJ 07645 Prepared for CURRENT PSYCHIATRYOctober 2004

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