Editorial

Physician Assistants in Mental Health

Authors: Taral R. Sharma, MD, MBA, Marie D. Nicely, PA-S

Abstract

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that 26.2 percent of Americans 18 years and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder within a given year, and six percent of that number have a serious mental illness.1 This significant portion of the population has specific and unique needs within the healthcare system. According to a 2009 study, over three quarters of the United States (US) have a severe shortage of mental health prescribers and nonprescribers.2 The lack of mental healthcare providers has led to prolonged wait times for mental healthcare services, increased crime related to mental health issues, and homelessness.2

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References

1. National Institute of Mental Health. Statistics [online]. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/statistics/index.shtml. Accessed May 15, 2010.
 
2. Thomas KC, Ellis AR, Knorad TR, et al. County-level estimates of mental health professional shortage in the United States. Psychiatr Serv 2009;60:1323–1328.
 
3. Ginther A, Woydziak M, Quigley T. Survey of Psychiatric Physician Assistants Determining Scope of Practice, Preparedness, and Post-graduate Training. Wichita, Department of Physician Assistants, College of Health Professionals, Wichita State University, 2009, pp 102–103.
 
4. Pollack DA, Ford SM. Is there a role for physician assistants in community mental health?Community Men Health J 1998;34:209–217.
 
5. Moran M. Physician assistants extend access to psychiatric care. Psychiatric News 2003;38:5.