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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PSYCHIATRIST AND A PSYCHOLOGIST? I wish I had five pounds for every time I have been asked this question!
It always comes up when I speak to audiences of lawyers or insurers, so I will now consider the differences between the two professions, and between the reports they provide to the Courts.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. After a minimum of 5 years, he or she gains qualifications denoted MB or BM, B Ch., and then does the probationary houseman year. He will then train for a further (minimum) 6 years in psychiatry, and will sit a further postgraduate qualifications (MRCPsych (Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists)) before becoming eligible for appointment as a Consultant Psychiatrist.
A psychologist is not a medical doctor. He takes a first degree of BSc or equivalent, followed by 3 years or more of postgraduate training to become one of various types of practitioner, for example, a Chartered Clinical Psychologist.
Lawyers sometimes ask me how they should choose whether to instruct a psychiatrist or psychologist in a given case.
Obviously, speaking as a psychiatrist, my views may be somewhat biased on this. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with a wider training. A psychiatrist has powers such as the prescription of medication and in respect of the Mental Health Act 1983, which are not available to a psychologist. Psychiatrists but not psychologists have charge of inpatient beds. Psychiatrists will frequently lead an NHS clinical service where the team includes a psychologist, through the converse is not usual.
Hence, I think that a report from a psychiatrist might generally regarded as a more ěweightyî opinion by the court.
However, in certain areas, a psychological report is indispensable. For example, neuropsychologists are needed in cases of brain injury, where quantitative testing of memory and other intellectual functions is required.
IN SUMMARY a medical report from a psychiatrist has been generally regarded as having more weight, and this probably continues to be the case. However, there are specific areas where a report from a psychologist is needed.
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