Posted by Noa on February 19, 2000, at 9:46:34
In reply to Re: Still Confused, posted by Janet from Brazil on February 19, 2000, at 0:10:59
Janet, I think that is a great question to pose to the American Psychiatric Association. I don't think psychopharmocology is an organized discipline yet, but there might be a kind of interest section within the psychiatric association. I don't know. Anyway, they have a website (the link is in Dr. Bob's virtual enpsychlopedia). You can ask them. Or maybe Dr. Bob will pop in to help us out.
Cam, If I were to encounter a pharmacist who had a lot of experience working in the field of mental health, maybe I would consult him or her. But in my experience most pharmacists are behind store counters filling prescriptions. I did know a pharmacist in the past whose job was being a member of a multidisciplinary team that went around to nursing homes to consult, evaluate how paitents were doing, etc. That kind of clinical experience would give him an expertise in treating people, but most pharmacists don't have that.
The medical school training of my pdoc is important, but more important is his years as a psyciatrist in a psychitric hospital. I know he has seen thousands of patients with all variations of disorders, and he has tried all mannre of combinations of meds. Plus, he goes to update his knowledge at conferences, at NIMH, etc. As some here know, I have also had issues with him having to do with how his practice operates (chaotically) and how difficult it is to reach him. But I have stayed with him because I believe he is very knowledgable. I would not see him for therapy (he doesn't do therapy now, although I think he did at one time) because he doesn't have the greatest social skills and he isn't reliable enough about contact. But I have learned how to manage dealing with this, more or less. I did look into getting another consult but discovered a lot of psychiatrists aren't taking any insurance, which really sucks. I know there are others that do, but for now, this guy knows my story, knows how I react to different meds, and I trust his knowledge.
poster:Noa
thread:21801
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000209/msgs/22447.html