Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-244.8 - Collaborative practice-joint rule

(1) A prescribing psychologist shall have one or more collaborating physicians at all times, as evidenced by a current collaborative practice agreement. Prior to executing a collaborative practice agreement, a prescribing psychologist and a collaborating physician shall review and discuss each other's relevant education, training, experience, and competencies to determine whether a collaborative practice is appropriate and to facilitate drafting a suitable collaborative practice agreement. A collaborative relationship between a prescribing psychologist and a collaborating physician shall ensure patient safety and optimal clinical outcomes. Collaboration may be done in person or via electronic communication in accordance with these rules. A physician shall not serve as a collaborating physician for more than two prescribing psychologists at one time. A prescribing psychologist shall not prescribe without a current written collaborative practice agreement with a collaborating physician in place. All collaborative relationships shall be reviewed and evaluated on an annual basis to ensure that the prescribing psychologist is competent to safely prescribe psychotropic medications to patients and that the collaborating physician is providing appropriate feedback to the prescribing psychologist. A collaborative practice agreement shall establish the parameters of the collaborative practice that are mutually agreed upon by the prescribing psychologist and the collaborating physician and shall be reviewed on an annual basis.

(2) A collaborative practice agreement shall include the following:

a. Prescribing psychologist information. The name, license number, DEA registration number, CSA registration number, address, telephone number, email address, and practice locations of the prescribing psychologist.

b. Collaborating physician information. The name, license number, DEA registration number, CSA registration number, address, telephone number, email address, and practice locations of the collaborating physician.

c. Time period. The time period covered by the agreement.

d. Locations and settings. The locations and settings where collaborative practice will occur.

e. Collaboration. A provision indicating that the collaborating physician and prescribing psychologist shall ensure that the collaborating physician is available for timely collaboration with a prescribing psychologist, either in person or via electronic communication, in accordance with these rules.

f. Scope of practice. The scope of practice agreed upon by the collaborating physician and the prescribing psychologist, as it relates to the prescribing psychologist's prescribing of psychotropic medications, including provisions to ensure that the prescribing psychologist's practice complies with all provisions of these rules.

g. Clinical protocols, practice guidelines, and care plans. Clinical protocols, practice guidelines, and care plans relevant to the scope of practice authorized.

h. Methods of communication. A description of how a prescribing psychologist and a collaborating physician may contact each other for consultation.

i. Limitations on psychotropic medications. A description of any limitations on the range of psychotropic medications the prescribing psychologist may prescribe. The collaborative practice agreement shall also include a provision indicating that the collaborating physician and prescribing psychologist shall ensure that the prescribing psychologist only prescribes psychotropic medications that are consistent with the prescribing psychologist's education, training, experience, and competence.

j. Limitations on patient populations. A description of any limitations on the types of populations that the prescribing psychologist may treat with psychotropic medications. The collaborative practice agreement shall also include a provision indicating that the collaborating physician and prescribing psychologist shall ensure that the prescribing psychologist only provides psychopharmacology services to patient populations that are within the prescribing psychologist's education, training, experience, and competence.

k. Release of information. A provision requiring the prescribing psychologist to obtain a release of information from all patients who are considered for psychopharmacological intervention, authorizing the prescribing psychologist to share the patient's health information with the collaborating physician.

l. Chart review. A provision indicating that the collaborating physician and prescribing psychologist shall ensure that the collaborative physician personally reviews and documents review of at least 10 percent of the prescribing psychologist's patient charts on a quarterly basis in each of the following categories:

(1) Juvenile patients,

(2) Pregnant or lactating patients,

(3) Elderly patients,

(4) Patients with serious medical conditions, and

(5) All other patients.

m. Annual review. A provision requiring an annual review and evaluation of the collaborative relationship and the collaborative practice agreement.

n. Consultation between the prescribing psychologist and the collaborating physician. A provision requiring that the prescribing psychologist consult with the collaborating physician on a regular basis regarding the patient's psychotropic treatment plan and any potential complications. A prescribing psychologist shall not prescribe a new psychotropic medication, discontinue a psychotropic medication, or change the dosage of a psychotropic medication if the collaborating physician objects on the basis of a contraindication.

o. Consultation between the collaborating physician and the primary care provider. A provision requiring that the collaborating physician consult with the patient's primary care provider on a regular basis regarding the patient's psychotropic treatment plan and any potential complications.

p. Termination. A provision describing how the agreement can be terminated and the process for notifying affected patients if there will be an interruption in services.

q. Signatures. Signatures of the prescribing psychologist and all collaborating physicians.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-244.8

Adopted by IAB January 16, 2019/Volume XLI, Number 15, effective 2/20/2019 Adopted by IAB July 24, 2024/Volume XLVII, Number 3, effective 8/28/2024