Tranquilizer Prescribing as a Function of the Experience and Availability of the Therapist
WERNER M. MENDEL M.D.1
1 Professor of Psychiatry, University of Southern California School of Medicine, 1934 Hospital Place, Los Angeles, Calif. 90033, and Director, Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Services, Los Angeles County General Hospital
A two-year study indicated that the more experienced the therapist is, the less he tends to use tranquilizing drugs to manage hospitalized psychotic patients. It was also observed that patients admitted during the weekend, when fewer therapists were available and hence less patient-therapist contact was possible, had a greater chance of receiving a prescription for medication.
