Many people are surprised to find that medication management appointments are very similar to primary care appointments.
Since medication management appointments are more focused in their scope, the psychiatrist focuses on what data is needed to ensure that it is safe to start and/or continue a patient’s psychiatric medications.
The process of starting your appointment is familiar. Typically, you check in with a clerk who will ensure the clinic has your most up to date billing information. After you are checked-in, you will likely be directed to a waiting area. After that, a medical assistant or nurse will come to make sure your vital signs are taken. After this, you are brought to an exam room by the nurse or your psychiatrist.
Due to the level of documentation required to submit billing through insurance, it is common for a psychiatrist to take notes as they are talking to you, and to review your chart to make sure all required documentation is up to date. Most clinics these days use an electronic medical record that will allow your psychiatrist to send your prescriptions and any required lab work to your location of choice.
One thing I hear often from patients is that they are surprised that their psychiatrist doesn’t often have enough time to talk about their life in general or provide extended psychotherapeutic intervention during medication management appointments.
In this model of care, all non-medication services are referred to other providers, including care coordination, social work, and psychotherapy. The model is built around a design that only allots time to manage medications. The most efficient way for your psychiatrist to advocate for you in this model is to ensure you see the types of providers who are enabled to help you with these other challenges as soon as possible, by making appropriate referrals.
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