By Leila AbboudStaff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal Show March 24, 2004 12:01 am ET The Food and Drug Administration's warning on antidepressants this week is likely to add fuel to a separate debate about an even more powerful class of mental-health drugs. A growing number of general physicians are now prescribing potent drugs called atypical antipsychotics. The drugs are approved for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. General physicians are also prescribing the drugs for people with persistent depression, elderly patients with dementia, and children with severe behavioral problems.  Continue reading your article with View Membership Options Already a member? Sign In Sponsored Offers
If my hypertensive patient develops orthostatism and falls and breaks her hip, I fully expect the orthopedic surgeon on call to treat her. I may kick myself that this happened, but I’m not qualified to treat a broken hip. If my anticoagulated patient hits his head and suffers a subdural hematoma, I expect the local neurosurgeon to graciously treat him even though it was my decision and not his to start the patient on his blood thinner. After all, brain surgery is tricky stuff. Why is it then that primary care docs, sometimes myself included, feel a little annoyed when we have to deal with the consequences of psychiatric medication prescribing? My psychiatry colleagues diligently order the blood work that is more or less required when prescribing atypical antipsychotics, for example. But when the results are abnormal, I get a fax with a scribble indicating that the PCP needs to handle this. We need to just deal with that and appreciate that there has been communication between treating providers. Because that doesn’t always happen. Particularly with medication prescribing, we don’t always get a notification from our psychiatry colleagues when a patient is started on something new because their records are so much more secret than ours. The other day I sat in my monthly conference with staff from the behavioral health home that I serve as the medical director for. I consult on clinical and policy matters. I heard of a couple of examples like the one in the headline and thought that we need to have a clinical collaboration contract in place between providers who see these patients. This would require notification when medications are started or changed, and an expressed understanding that the participating clinician who is best qualified to treat a complication of either a psychiatric or somatic medication should do so. If a prescribing provider notices that their prescription has a side effect, but the medicine is clearly the best choice for the patient, I can’t just expect them to stop what may be a major therapeutic breakthrough for the patient. Here are some ideas for what a clinical collaboration contract might include:
Maybe this is too obvious and self-evident to formalize, but judging from the stories I heard the other day, it probably isn’t. Hans Duvefelt, also known as “A Country Doctor,” is a family physician who blogs at A Country Doctor Writes:. Image credit: Shutterstock.com
July 12, 2021 The pandemic put a spotlight on mental health concerns, with significant increases in anxiety, depression, substance misuse and trauma-related symptoms. Fortunately, there is also increased acknowledgement of the importance of mental health, which includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. And, it helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Primary care providers (PCPs) can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. But, because mental health can be complex, your PCP may recommend you see a psychiatrist for treatment and help managing medication. In an article for The Paper Gown, Summit Health psychiatrist Dr. Cliff Hamilton helps explain when to see a PCP for mental health medication; when to see a specialist; and how to get the care you need. Read Full Article Can a general doctor prescribe anxiety meds?There's good news: Your everyday family doctor, otherwise known as a general practitioner (GP) has the authority to prescribe anxiety medication.
Can a family doctor prescribe mood stabilizers?A primary care provider can choose from several antidepressants to safely prescribe to their patients; follow up visits with a primary care provider tend to be much shorter than a therapy session with a psychiatrist.
Can a regular doctor prescribe depression medication?Primary care doctors routinely prescribe medications for depression, but if your case is complicated or the treatments don't work for you, your doctor may recommend you see a psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of mental illnesses.
Can a primary care doctor diagnose anxiety?You may start by seeing your primary care provider to find out if your anxiety could be related to your physical health. He or she can check for signs of an underlying medical condition that may need treatment. However, you may need to see a mental health specialist if you have severe anxiety.
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Can a family doctor prescribe psychiatric medication
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