Medication management is the level of outpatient treatment where the physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse, provides an initial evaluation of the patient’s need for psychotropic medications, the provision of a prescription, and, as-needed, ongoing medical monitoring/evaluation related to the patient.s use of the psychotropic medication. Interactive psychotherapy is sometimes but not typically rendered by the physician/prescriber, but may be provided by another clinician.
Psychiatrist
- A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor or physician who has completed medical school and a multi-year residency in Psychiatry (treatment of mental illness).
- Psychiatrists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. As physicians, they are also experts in the use of medications to treat mental disorders as well as treating these conditions with an understanding of the interplay with other medical disorders. As medical experts they also understand how different medications affect each other.
- They are able to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological disturbances.
- Since Psychiatrists are medical doctors, they are able to determine the need for medical tests and medication to help adjust imbalances in body chemistry that may be part of the mental illness.
- There are several sub specialties, such as child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and forensic psychiatry.
Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
- An Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN) is a licensed Registered Nurse (R.N.) who has a graduate degree in nursing and is certified by a national certifying body. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) and Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists (PMHCNSs) are APRNs that work in psychiatry.
- APRNs have advanced training in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses, health assessment, psychotherapy and medication management.
- APRNs are educated in psychopharmacology and prescribe medications as well as order necessary testing for you.
- APRNs have a collaborative agreement in Indiana and psychiatrists are available to consult with them on patient care a needed.
Physician Assistant
- A physician assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision of a physician.
- Physician assistants have their own medical licenses and do not work under a physician’s license.
- A physician assistant is licensed to prescribe medication.
- A physician assistant is trained to treat mental disorders by providing services that are traditionally performed by a physician.