The psychiatrist I've been seeing recently asked me to sign a release form so that she could communicate with my therapist. I'd made the mistake of giving her my therapist's name and didn't know that she'd written it down until I saw her notes online.

I pay for my therapy privately, and I value my confidentiality, so I said I wanted to talk to my therapist about it first.

My therapist said in all the years she's been in practice, there have only been a few times when "coordination of care" actually benefited the person. Mostly, she said, it's just sending paperwork back and forth. AND (this is what I hadn't thought through) all those records are available to any provider, even if I go in for minor surgery.

So, I declined the release form and asked to have her name removed my my record, which the pdoc did.

Has this been a concern for anyone else, or did information sharing between providers help you?

I would not consent.

[ThisWayOut]

the only time it had helped for me was when I was going through a really rough patch. I would actually prefer if it never showed up on my records at this point becuase even when I went to the ER for asthma issues this past summer, they first questioned me about my mental health before they assessed the breathing... It's still very much stigmatized and can bias your healthcare. That said, If I were still as bad off as I was 4 years ago, I would want my T and PDoc communicating (if for nothing else than my T had my back while my PDoc was just covering her ***).
If you don't feel comfortable signing the consent, there's no reason to do it.

Originally Posted by ThisWayOut

I would actually prefer if it never showed up on my records at this point becuase even when I went to the ER for asthma issues this past summer, they first questioned me about my mental health before they assessed the breathing... It's still very much stigmatized and can bias your healthcare.

This is exactly what I have worried and wondered about with my primary care doctor. Her attitude toward me totally changed--from friendly to skeptical and questioning/dismissive. Now, when I go in for a complaint, she evaluates whether or not she believes me, then says, "Well, I believe you." As if my medical care is based on a model of guilty until proven innocent.

[Webgoji]

It helps immensely for me. Otherwise I end up repeating the same thing over and over and over because there's no communication between my doctors. I want them to work together and not at cross angles to each other.

[BlessedRhiannon]

For me, it's a great help to have my T and pdoc communicate. I pay for both privately - neither one takes insurance of any kind and I choose not to file out-of-network claims. My T and pdoc have a good working relationship and since my T sees me weekly and my pdoc maybe once a month or longer, it is helpful for my T to be able to call my pdoc and update him on what she's been noticing. My pdoc will call my T and update her on any med changes, so that if she notices an adverse reaction in me, she can let both me and my pdoc know.

I've never had any problems with this arrangement and it has only benefited me. Both are also very open with me and let me know when they've talked and what they talked about.

[Polibeth]

My pdoc and T have talked a couple of times, I haven't minded and it's resulted in better care.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I consented. I have even given both permission to talk to each other w/o having to tell me beforehand (but they agreed they would tell me what they discussed if they do talk). I'm glad I did. My T and Pdoc don't talk often, but it has been beneficial having them on the same page. My original fear was that they would "gang up" on me. They kinda did a few times (about going into a crisis house and about DBT), but I understand those times. My other fear was that they wouldn't agree with each other and I would be caught in the middle. That hasn't happened yet. They actually like and respect each other and encourage my relationship with the other. It truly creates a safety net for me.

My Pdoc and primary don't need my consent to talk to each other because they work at the same clinic and have access to all my files. But my Pdoc is the one who referred me to my primary. They both are Pdocs and primaries. It's nice to have a primary who understands mental health and a Pdoc who understands physical health.

[Ididitmyway]

I was asked once to sign the release of information form by a couple's therapist for her to talk to my and my husband's individual therapists. I refused. I never saw the value in such communications when the client has a relatively stable mind and can answer all the questions pertaining to their work with other therapists. I couldn't understand why she just couldn't ask me and my husband about anything in regards to our individual therapies. If she didn't trust that we would tell the truth, this was a non-starter, because I believe some basic level of trust is imperative for therapy to even start.

When I asked her why she needed it, she said it was just to consult with our therapists on how to help us better. I thought it would be much more productive to consult directly with me and my husband on how to help us better, because this was OUR therapy for which WE were paying, and, therefore, we had to be active participants in that process and had the right to have our say in how our therapy should be conducted. Long story short, we stopped seeing her because of that. I think, all the necessary information can be obtained directly from the client, and if the therapist feels that a communication with the client's previous therapist or any other health provider is absolutely necessary, it has to be run by the client. In other words, the client has to be absolutely comfortable with the idea and have a clear understanding of why such communication is needed. And, the other requirement for me would be transparency. I need to be fully informed about what was shared during that exchange.

I give consent. They haven't consulted very often, but there have been times when they needed to because of the condition I was in and/or problems with medications that needed to be addressed.

Originally Posted by Ididitmyway

I was asked once to sign the release of information form by a couple's therapist for her to talk to my and my husband's individual therapists. I refused. I never saw the value in such communications when the client has a relatively stable mind and can answer all the questions pertaining to their work with other therapists. I couldn't understand why she just couldn't ask me and my husband about anything in regards to our individual therapies. If she didn't trust that we would tell the truth, this was a non-starter, because I believe some basic level of trust is imperative for therapy to even start.

When I asked her why she needed it, she said it was just to consult with our therapists on how to help us better. I thought it would be much more productive to consult directly with me and my husband on how to help us better, because this was OUR therapy for which WE were paying, and, therefore, we had to be active participants in that process and had the right to have our say in how our therapy should be conducted. Long story short, we stopped seeing her because of that. I think, all the necessary information can be obtained directly from the client, and if the therapist feels that a communication with the client's previous therapist or any other health provider is absolutely necessary, it has to be run by the client. In other words, the client has to be absolutely comfortable with the idea and have a clear understanding of why such communication is needed. And, the other requirement for me would be transparency. I need to be fully informed about what was shared during that exchange.

Thank you. This was very much along the lines of what my therapist said, which was that I was articulate and capable of communicating to any provider what was going on, how I was being affected, and what I action I wanted to take or not take. We both felt that there was nothing to gain (plus the loss of confidentiality I can't foresee). Also, it felt dehumanizing to me, and she agreed. It made me even more comfortable that I'd found the right therapist for me.

That's not to take away from those who've found it helpful. I really did (and do) want to hear both sides. Everyone is different.

[junkDNA]

i have given consent. my old pdoc and former T would talk on the phone. when i told pdoc what former T and i were doing he helped me file a complaint to the board. he filed one too. although he was devastated about what i told him i felt like he was the only safe person to tell at that time. and old pdoc helped me to change my life so much. we still keep in touch even though he is no longer my pdoc

[UnderRugSwept]

I would consent, but my pdoc seems too busy to talk to either of my Ts (I know they would talk to my pdoc if he did wish to speak to either of them). In a way it's kind of a compliment tho, because I know my pdoc is trusting what I am telling him even though I don't see him for an appt. that often, although I have been seeing him for over 3 years. It's nice that he doesn't need to verify any of what I am telling him with anyone else.

[angelene]

My T and pdoc are part of the same practice so I consented. I also consented to sharing with my family doctor. So far none of the parties involved have contacted one another about anything.

[ThingWithFeathers]

I always consent. I want my t and other health professionals to know what's going on and to be on the same page. I want them to communicate and share to get the best outcome for me.

[brillskep]

Nope, never happened. I don't go to psychiatrists but if I did (or if I were in this situation with any other health care professional), I wouldn't consent.

[Lauliza]

My T and pdoc work for the same practice so they can communicate without my consent. It is fine with me and as I see it, it can help more than hurt. I don't think my pdoc looks at my therapy notes much but they are all in the same file.

My primary doesn't have the contact info for either since I see her in a hospital practice. My pdoc used to work at the same hospital so my diagnosis info from that time period is in their system, but that's it. I thin it's quite useful for them when I have panic attacks, etc. physical symptoms are never dismissed but it's helpful for them to know my tendencies.

[Perna]

If I trusted my doctor and my doctor discussed with me why they wanted to work with my therapist, what they thought they could gain from it and I thought it would help them, I would consent.

These things are medical records and if I have depression, say, I want my other doctors to know this as illnesses are very rarely self-contained unless you break a bone or something? People with heart disease get anti-depressants and anti-depressants can cause older people to black out/fall down (my 94 year old aunt had that problem, some doctor had prescribed the anti-depressant for a heart problem but it took a neurologist reviewing all her meds to realize that no one bothered to stop its use when the problem was over).

The more information a doctor has on you, all of you, the better able they may be able to help, even to the point of saving your life. I almost died because I'd never been ill before when my appendix burst in 2003, did not have any doctor besides my dentist, and so the doctors had nothing to go on as to how I would react to medicines and other treatments, we did not know my body. Now I see my doctor quarterly and have been for 5+ years, building up the relationship and the notes/file so it will all be there the next time it is needed and they have a mystery on their hands!

It's a body, it's not "You"?

Because my records are accessible to my regular doctor who's in the same clinic as my pdoc, I don't want her to know any more than she needs to know because she has been discriminatory toward me as a result of my mh treatment. I don't want anything more in my file to feed that.

Also, the therapist I'm seeing is protective of my confidentiality and feels I'm perfectly capable of communicating with all my providers. I guess I like that.

I understand, though, that others feel differently. I really appreciate all the responses.

[Victoria'smom]

I consented for my T not only talk to my psychiatrist but also to my son's therapist, my husband's therapist and both their psychiatrists. I like them working as a team. I recently talked to my T about my son and he asked whether or not he could inform my son's T which I agreed to. I find it very helpful to that they talk. That way they all know what's going on. Maybe not share your file but have verbal communication release like my family has.