IBC encourages providers to improve communication
between behavioral health care providers and primary
care providers (PCP) in an effort to promote a cohesive
plan of care for patients.
While communication between PCPs and behavioral
health providers is slowly improving, there continues
to be a large percentage of providers, both medical
and behavioral health, who do not communicate about
patient care. Information that PCPs may find helpful
when they contact their patients? behavioral health care
provider includes:
- How is he/she responding to counseling and/or
medication treatment?
- How is this affecting any medical complaints? If there
is a chronic illness, does he/she have increased
symptoms during times of stress?
- Are there any special considerations regarding
medication interactions? Has the patient had any side
effects from medications?
- How can you coordinate appropriate tests to be
ordered and results monitored?
PCPs must obtain patient consent to exchange patients?
personal information and discuss their mental health
care.
Please discuss with your patients the importance of
having this information for their health and safety. When
possible, provide your patients with a consent form they
can sign, so they are informed of the information that will
be shared and are able to express their written consent.
To obtain a copy of the PCP to Behavioral Health Provider Communication
Form, as well as other tools and resources, visit our Worksheets, Forms, and
Guides web page.