If in a very special circumstance: Can a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist perform life-saving surgery?

Question

For example in an accident, or in a place where's no other M.D.(Medical Doctor).

Let's keep in mind a Psychiatrist and a Psychologist are also Doctors.

And, that I am not talking about Certified Counselors.

Answer 1

Absolutely not!  How profane.

Answer 2

Only a psychiatrist has complete medical training.  Surgeons usually do a specializations, though, so you would be best to have a surgeon work on you.

Answer 3

Psychiatrist...Because they had to go to Medical School!

Educational requirements

A psychiatrist must have an M.D. or D.O. degree from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy (or international equivalent) and must complete at least 4 years of accredited residency training, including a minimum of 3 years in psychiatry.

But Psychologist don't go to medical school

Educational Requirements

A master's degree in psychology requires at least 2 years of graduate study and qualifies a psychologist to work as an assistant under the supervision of doctoral-level psychologists, and conduct research and psychological evaluations. Requirements usually include practical experience and a master's thesis based on original research. Courses in psychology; biological, physical, and social sciences; statistics, and mathematics are often required. A master's degree is required for industrial-organizational psychologists.

Answer 4

uuuuh maybe

Answer 5

A psychologist is not an MD...they are a PhD. Most do not have medical training such as that of a doctor of medicine.

A psychiatrist depending on their rotation in medical school and if they had any kind of surgical training could perform minor surgery but I certainly would not want one to cut on me...A Psychiatrist is a full fledged Medical Doctor and with that comes all the medical knowledge of a family doctor. Now all surgeons do what they call fellowship training to become proficient in different types of surgical procedures within their speciality.  This us usually an additional two years on top of the 8 to 10 years of medical school training they already received.

Answer 6

Apparently our Psychologist are somewhat lacking in their training which is why they also can not prescribe medication. They mostly listen and direct and if you need more than that they refer you to the psychiatrist who can then load you up with drugs.  I don't have a lot of regard for the medical community but they are a necessity.  

Answer 7

Good question!

In my opinion all depends where the special circumstance took place at.

For example, I am very familiar with the case you mentioned in Germany. And, in most countries in Europe and here, in Argentina, Psychologists and specially Psychiatrists go First to Medical School and then also to their specialty with a PhD, and "also" MD. So, when they are practicing they are well qualified to perform any kind of emergency procedure, or when needed as the Psychologist did in Germany.

Don't worry, USA medical community "think" they're the only ones in the world. Well, they're Not. And this proves once more how very capable and so well prepared are our Medical Community.

USA should be more qualified and informed before making such rushed and non-sense comments.

So, Yes.

In most countries in Europe and in Argentina, Yes, Psychologists and specially Psychiatrists can perform life saving surgery under special circumstances as it happened in Germany.