What to Expect
Adult Psychiatry and Medication Management
Overview
Expect that a complete assessment will be prioritized. One of the most common reasons a treatment does not work is because the provider gets the diagnosis wrong. Most assessments require a minimum of two visits – each an hour or longer.
Expect to be given information. One of the most common reasons why a treatment does not work is because the client does not fully understand the treatment and how to manage it.
Expect to feel like you are making the decision for yourself.
Expect not to feel like the provider is making the decision for you.
Expect to have enough information to feel comfortable making decisions about YOUR treatment.
Expect an approach that generally follows the pattern shown below:
First Meeting
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Intake packet completed by client prior to visit
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Meeting is an hour or longer
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Main reasons for evaluation
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History: Family, medical, social, etc.
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Full Mental Health Examination
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Vitals
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Outline of plan for next meeting
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Client asked to complete screening tools chosen by the provider based on information reviewed to date
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Additional tests are possible (Labs, EKG)
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Release of information for other providers
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No diagnosis or treatment plan
1-2 Weeks between meetings
Screening tools completed by client
Records collected and reviewed by provider
Second Meeting
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Meeting is an hour or longer
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Brief discussion of new symptoms/episodes since last encounter
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Review of screening tools
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Review of any relevant test results (labs, EKG, Etc.)
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Review information not covered during first meeting
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Mental Health Examination
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Vitals
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Individual interview with child (pediatric assessments only)
Last hour or so of the second meeting
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Provider reviews information obtained during first two meetings.
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Information/symptoms are brought into diagnostic groups that exist within the medical literature.
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Diagnoses are described in detail.
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The client can ask questions.
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The client helps to determine if the diagnosis is accurate based the client’s sense of what they have been experiencing.
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After the diagnoses are finalized, treatment options are discussed.
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Short term and long-term plans are reviewed.
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The provider relays information about various forms of treatments.
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The client can ask questions.
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The goal is to give the client more than enough information to make an informed decision about what treatment approach makes the most sense for that client as an individual.
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Referrals are made where needed.
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If treatment options are chosen that can be provided at Frontier Health and Wellness, then they are typically started at the end of this appointment.
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Follow-up appointments are scheduled.
When a Third Meeting is Needed to Complete the Assessment
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Less time needed between meetings
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Additional records collected and reviewed by provider when appropriate
If a Third Meeting is Needed
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Meeting is an hour or longer
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Brief discussion of new symptoms/episodes since last encounter
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Review of any relevant data received that wasn’t covered in first two meetings
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Mental Health Examination
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Vitals
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Additional questions not covered during first two meetings
The last hour or so of the third meeting
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Provider reviews information obtained during first two meetings.
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Information/symptoms are brought into diagnostic groups that exist within the medical literature.
-
Diagnoses are described in detail.
-
The client can ask questions.
-
The client helps to determine if the diagnosis is accurate based the client’s sense of what they have been experiencing.
-
After the diagnoses are finalized, treatment options are discussed.
-
Short term and long-term plans are reviewed.
-
The provider relays information about various forms of treatments.
-
The client can ask questions.
-
The goal is to give the client more than enough information to make an informed decision about what treatment approach makes the most sense for that client as an individual.
-
Referrals are made where needed.
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If treatment options are chosen that can be provided at Frontier Health and Wellness, then they are typically started at the end of this appointment.
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Follow-up appointments are scheduled.
Follow Up
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Follow-up frequency is based on individual needs of each client
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Typically, 30 minutes
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When treatment adjustments are needed longer appointments will be scheduled so clients can have their questions answered and do not feel rushed.
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For pediatric cases, we typically will want to have an individual meeting with the child at a frequency of every other meeting (on average). Clinical judgement and client preference are used to determine changes in this approach.