Care Coordination with Primary Care Providers & Specialists
Care coordination helps organize relevant information between mental health treatment and other healthcare services when collaboration is appropriate. A psychiatric clinician may need information about medications, medical conditions, previous treatment, or recommendations from another healthcare professional. With appropriate patient authorization and within applicable privacy requirements, relevant information can be shared with primary care providers or specialists. Coordination can be especially useful when multiple conditions, medications, or treatment plans overlap. The purpose is to help keep the patient’s care organized while respecting the patient’s privacy and clinical preferences.
When Coordinated Care May Be Useful
Not every patient requires communication between providers, but collaboration can be valuable when treatment decisions involve more than one area of healthcare. The need for coordination depends on the patient’s circumstances and the providers involved.
- When a patient’s psychiatric treatment intersects with ongoing medical care from a primary care provider.
- When multiple clinicians are prescribing medications and relevant medication information needs to be considered together.
- When a specialist’s findings or recommendations may be relevant to psychiatric treatment planning.
- When a change in health status could affect an existing behavioral health treatment plan.
- When the patient and treating providers determine that communication would support more organized care.
How Care Coordination Supports Treatment
Coordination can reduce the risk of important information being considered in isolation when several healthcare professionals are involved. It also gives patients a clearer process for communicating relevant updates between members of their care team. Information sharing remains subject to appropriate authorization, privacy requirements, and clinical relevance.
Examples of Coordinated Care
The type of collaboration depends on the patient’s needs and the professionals involved.
Primary care communication:
Shares clinically relevant information with a primary care provider when appropriate and authorized.
Specialist collaboration:
Coordinates with relevant specialists when their assessment or treatment may affect behavioral health care.
Medication information:
Helps ensure relevant medication information is considered across the patient’s healthcare team.
Treatment updates:
Communicates appropriate changes or recommendations when coordination is clinically necessary.
Care planning:
Helps align recommendations while keeping the patient’s goals and privacy in view.
How Care Coordination Works for You
Identify your care team:
Your behavioral health needs are considered alongside relevant care from other healthcare professionals.
Share relevant information:
When appropriate and authorized, important treatment information can be communicated between providers.
Connect treatment decisions:
Relevant medical and behavioral health information can be considered together.
Reduce communication gaps:
Coordination can help providers stay informed about changes that may affect your care.
Support an organized plan:
Your treatment team can use relevant updates to help guide ongoing care.
Get in Touch
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