Types of Quality Care
Peter Ashenden
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Over the past several years, there has been more and more attention given to the idea of evidence-based care in the mental health field. This is the notion that the types of treatment selected and provided should be grounded in science and based upon the best evidence and outcomes. This is an importa...
This entry was posted on Sunday, January 18, 2009
Anonymous
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 12:24 AM
I wholeheartedly agree with the idea of etiquette-based care. I was shocked to read in my medical record the opinion of a resident to whom I had adressed my privacy concerns over my medical records being left out at the front desk--prior to the enactment of HIPA--a concern which now would be grounds for expensive legal redress. I was upset because it was a complaint I had made several times before, but I was nowhere near the level of emotion his comments suggested. I believe the remarks he entered into my medical record were unprofessional, and are evidence of a certain degree of prejudicial behavior.
As a consumer of mental health services, I have learned the importance of the phrase "buyer beware." I would like to put greater faith in psychiatrists, but too often their assessments are made in appointments of 15 minutes or less, which all too often do not include talk therapy. I fail to see how a quick series of rate-your-mood questions are scientific or evidence based. Further, if I am having a bad day, I have learned to hide emotion because the knee-jerk provider response to patient emotion is to increase medication. And God forbid I should complicate a provider's day because I choose to breastfeed and reject the chosen medication, one that just happens to be aggressively marketed and not available as a generic. I do not have the opportunity to challenge that provider's assessment of me as "uncooperative" or "flight risk," or to remark that the provider was too easily frustrated by--or just downright hostile to--my attempts to explore my medication options. Too often providers read questions about options as medication resistance, rather than an attempt to make an informed decision.
My medical records are missing an important component--patient assessment of a provider's mood and behavior! This is something that should not be summarily dismissed, because psychiatrist who does not treat patients as he or she would like to be treated leaves the door open to medical error and missed diagnoses.
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Sandy Munson
Friday, January 23, 2009 at 03:11 AM
I am in desperate need of a "quality" psychiatirst. I live in the Dallas area, and have been to a few, but you just don't know about someone unless you know someone who knows from experience who is a good and genuinely caring and understanding and will treat you like a human being psychiatrist. Unfortunately, I don''t know anyone who can recommend anyone. Please hel recomending someone. I am desperate at this point as I need my medication, but am at the point that I can no long withstand the abuse I am receiving from my current doctor! Thanks for your article!
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KKraft
Friday, January 23, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Sandy, we have a database of peer-recommended psychiatrists, psychologists, etc., and there are several listed in the Dallas area. To get to this database on the DBSA website, here's what to do:
...Go to www.DBSAlliance.org/empower_FindAPro_launchpad
...Click on "Enter DBSA's Find A Pro" (in purple, at the bottom of the page).
...Click on the light blue box on the left titled "Find a Professional."
...Enter the city and state.
...To pull up as many names as possible, select 40 or 50 for "Miles."
Hope this might help! If you have any questions, just give us a call at (800) 826-3632.
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Anonymous
Friday, January 23, 2009 at 10:35 AM
I am a veteran and have received, both medically and mental health-wise, some of the best care in my life (65 years old). I think the Vets Administration often has a negative image, but I have found it to be high quality and caring. They are also making an increased emphasis on mental health services, especially to accommodate our returning soldiers from the Irag-Afghanistan conflict. I hope you give them credit. Alice Holstein, Ed.D.
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Anonymous
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I agree 100% that the quality of care needs to be patient centered at all times. The field of Psychiatry is one in which human interactions and compassion should be on top. I am saddened to know that not all psychiatrists have treated their patients with respect. I am seeing a wonderful psychiatrist. He is located at UT Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX. His name is Dr. Vivek Singh. He has been compassionate and willing to work with me. I would recommend him to anyone in the area.
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Annonymous
Saturday, May 09, 2009 at 08:36 AM
I actually have been seeing Dr. Vivek Singh. at teh UT Health Science center in San Antonio. He has given me my life back. I was wrongly diagnosed for so many years, was tried on so many drugs. When I went to see him, I was on 5 different drugs. Since I started seeing him, I am on just 1 drug and am back to my normal self. I cannot even tell you how wonderful and caring he is.
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Anonymous
Friday, July 24, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I agree with you. I have seen him as well and he has been wonderful. I dont think we honor doctors who are truly caring. I would recommend him to anyone- he is truly compassionate and caring.
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