Posted by Bill LL on January 8, 2004, at 10:23:09
In reply to Re: Frequency of pdoc visits?, posted by stjames on January 6, 2004, at 17:39:09
I just did a quick search on google. It said that non-psychiatrists prescribed 57% of antidepressants in the first quarter of 1997. In my last post I said that the number was 70%. I don't remember where I saw the 70%. It's possible that if the correct figure was 57% in 1997, it could be higher now. I believe that this trend has been increasing due to the growing pressures of HMO's and other managed care plans.
I personally feel very comfortable with having my internist prescribe my AD's. He is very knowledgable and experienced with AD's. Also, I only pay $15 per visit as opposed to $100 or so when I went to a pdoc.
Where I live, the big majority of internists participate in Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Most pdocs do not participate (hardly any do). That means that I have to pay the difference between the full charge and the BCBS payment. But for an internist who participates (most internists) I only pay $15.
I do feel however that pdocs are generally more qualified than internists to treat difficult cases. Also, I think that in many cases, although a primary care doc is treating the patient, the doc may from time to time have the patient consult with a pdoc about a change in treatment strategy.
> The issue was % of prescriptions written, not patients seen. Since you provided no details
> and I don't find these facts evident, I discount
> the claim of 70% prescriptions written by general practice docs as beening an opinion not based on fact.
>
>
poster:Bill LL
thread:296715
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040105/msgs/298065.html