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PSYCHIATRIC/MEDICAL
CARE
The Village's Psychiatric Services teach members how to manage
medication and symptoms. This puts them in control of their illnesses,
instead of allowing their illnesses to control them, and enables them to
pursue their work, living, education and social goals.
Description
Ÿ The Village's psychiatrists are part
of the Service Coordination Teams, and the full team--psychiatrist, social worker, nurse and psychosocial
specialists--works with members on treatment issues, all using their
respective expertise.
Ÿ The team psychiatrist and member
review the member's psychiatric history. Together they formulate a plan to
try to improve the efficacy and decrease the side effects of medication.
Ÿ As part of their regularly scheduled
meetings, psychiatrists educate members about medications.
Ÿ A psychiatrist is available by beeper
24 hours a day for crises response, including telephone contact, home visits and emergency walk-in visits.
Ÿ If hospitalization is necessary, the
Village psychiatrists, who are on staff a local hospital, oversee members' treatment and discharge. The member's
Personal Service Coordinator maintains contact; other team staff and members visit for
support.
Ÿ The Village has on-site laboratory
services, including a clozaril treatment system, and contracts with a local pharmacy to fill members' prescriptions.
Impact
Ÿ Education empowers members to take
charge in making decisions about their own symptoms and medications.
Ÿ Members are able to obtain their
medication whenever it is needed.
Ÿ There is a strong continuity of
services for members who are hospitalized.
Ÿ Members don't have to retell their
stories to different doctors because the Village psychiatrists have
long-term relationships with them.
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