3 answers
Adilay
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
26
Questions
Asked
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How involved in the treatment of patients are psychiatrists?
Do they simply diagnose and/or prescribe treatment? Or do they directly partake in the treatment process, too, like doing talk therapy?
I'm looking into psychologists and psychiatrists and both are appealing to me, but I want to be able to be involved in the treatment and be able to aid in healing and/or coping of patients.
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3 answers
Gregory Barclay, M.D., DLFAPA, FASAP
Psychiatrist
26
Answers
Wilmington, Delaware
Updated
Gregory’s Answer
Hey Adilay!
Psychiatrists are directly involved in the care of their patients. In many situations, they are part of a team of professionals working together, each doing their part to help a particular patient. This is what is referred to as the "multi-disciplinary model" of care. While it is true that when psychiatrists are members of these teams, they often end up as the member who prescribes and monitors medication, which may be their expected role, or their choice (or in many cases, both). However, this is not in any way a requirement or obligation. In my experience, when I was a member of a multi-disciplinary team, even if my meetings with patients were briefer and less frequent than their meetings with their therapist, patients reported these meetings to be very helpful and therapeutic to them nevertheless. But, I entered these meetings and worked in these teams having had a lot of background and training in doing talk therapy with patients, so saw every exchange with patients as a "therapeutic opportunity" and not just a medical appointment.
My point is this: As a psychiatrist, it is entirely your choice as to whether you wish to devote your work to providing direct therapy to your patients (talk therapy with our without using medications - your choice) or whether you want to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (again, your choice). If you do the former, you will simply need to educate others, including your patients, that you treat your patients yourself with therapy as well as medication, because many will have had experience with psychiatrists being their "medication only" doctor before coming to see you. For many years I worked on my own and saw patients for therapy and often did not prescribe medications to them, although sometimes I did if they were needed. I found this very fulfilling and enjoyable. I also worked in multi-disciplinary teams when my job at the time required this, and while I could support the concept and the work of my therapist colleagues, I personally found the work less interesting.
So, as a psychiatrist, you have complete choice over how involved you want to be in the care of your patients. That is the beauty of it!
I am very impressed with how hard you are working to understand your options and make an informed choice going forward with your life!
Psychiatrists are directly involved in the care of their patients. In many situations, they are part of a team of professionals working together, each doing their part to help a particular patient. This is what is referred to as the "multi-disciplinary model" of care. While it is true that when psychiatrists are members of these teams, they often end up as the member who prescribes and monitors medication, which may be their expected role, or their choice (or in many cases, both). However, this is not in any way a requirement or obligation. In my experience, when I was a member of a multi-disciplinary team, even if my meetings with patients were briefer and less frequent than their meetings with their therapist, patients reported these meetings to be very helpful and therapeutic to them nevertheless. But, I entered these meetings and worked in these teams having had a lot of background and training in doing talk therapy with patients, so saw every exchange with patients as a "therapeutic opportunity" and not just a medical appointment.
My point is this: As a psychiatrist, it is entirely your choice as to whether you wish to devote your work to providing direct therapy to your patients (talk therapy with our without using medications - your choice) or whether you want to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (again, your choice). If you do the former, you will simply need to educate others, including your patients, that you treat your patients yourself with therapy as well as medication, because many will have had experience with psychiatrists being their "medication only" doctor before coming to see you. For many years I worked on my own and saw patients for therapy and often did not prescribe medications to them, although sometimes I did if they were needed. I found this very fulfilling and enjoyable. I also worked in multi-disciplinary teams when my job at the time required this, and while I could support the concept and the work of my therapist colleagues, I personally found the work less interesting.
So, as a psychiatrist, you have complete choice over how involved you want to be in the care of your patients. That is the beauty of it!
I am very impressed with how hard you are working to understand your options and make an informed choice going forward with your life!
This was super helpful, thank you for your help! I'll definitely keep that in mind.
Adilay
Dina Siegel
Psychologist
33
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Dina’s Answer
Both are mental health practitioners who focus on helping individuals cope with mental health problems. Understanding the different roles can be helpful.
Psychiatrists most often prescribe medication, but also receive training in therapy during their residency. Psychiatrists are trained through a medical model, meaning they diagnose symptoms and problems and try to reduce them (usually with medication). Once they have prescribed medication, they meet with the person on a set schedule to determine whether the medication is working and monitor side effects.
Continued success on your journey toward finding a rewarding career path!
Psychiatrists most often prescribe medication, but also receive training in therapy during their residency. Psychiatrists are trained through a medical model, meaning they diagnose symptoms and problems and try to reduce them (usually with medication). Once they have prescribed medication, they meet with the person on a set schedule to determine whether the medication is working and monitor side effects.
Continued success on your journey toward finding a rewarding career path!
Thank you for the explanation.
Adilay
Alan Weber
writer and retired teacher, teacher educator and academic advisor
207
Answers
Woodstock, New York
Updated
Alan’s Answer
Adilay, based on your question, you obviously already have some knowledge about this. Psychiatrists are trained to both prescribe medication and treat patients by various other means as well. Unfortunately, many psychiatrists (I'm tempted to say most) do focus mostly on simply monitoring medication, whereas it's the psychotherapists that spend time talking to patients and employing other means besides medication. If you are ambitious and do want to be able to do it all, then you should pursue psychiatry and become one of the sought after psychiatrists that build relationships and don't just rely on meds.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Adilay