California Assn. of Psychology Providers v. Rank

Opinion

BROUSSARD, J.

The issue before us is whether a hospital may permit clinical psychologists to take primary responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of their hospitalized patients. Prior to 1978, regulations of the Department of Health Services (hereafter Department) declared that a psychiatrist must take charge of the diagnosis and treatment of all patients admitted to psychiatric wards or hospitals.1 In 1978, however, the Legislature enacted Health and Safety Code section 1316.5,2 which after confirming that hospitals could admit psychologists to their staffs, provided that such…