IBC encourages providers to improve
communication between mental health care providers and primary care providers
in an effort to promote a cohesive plan of care for patients.
While communication between
primary care providers and mental health providers is slowly improving, there
continues to be a large percentage of providers, both medical and mental
health, who do not communicate concerning patient care. Information that you
may find helpful when you contact your patients? mental health care provider
includes:
- How is he/she responding to
counseling 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?
Physicians must obtain patient consent
to exchange patients? personal information and discuss mental health care.
Please discuss the importance of having this information for your patients?
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, go to the Worksheets, Forms, and
Guides page within the Resources for Patient Management section of our
website.