BARDI77

Hi to all,

As title suggests, I would like to know that if a General Practitioner diagnoses a minor kind of psychiatric problem in a patient, is him/her allowed to prescribe psychiatric relevant medicine for the patient? Or will the GP have to refer the patient to a specialist?


Thank you

mo33

yep, GP's can prescribe psyc meds. Usually only need Pychiatrist for major mental health illnesses. GP's usually px for things like depression, anxiety etc. If it's stuff like schizoprenia, BPAD etc will have to see Consultant.
Hope this helps.

Kapri

Yes, as Mo says, GP's can prescribe antidepressants and other psychiatric meds for minor problems.

I would recommend asking to see a G.P who has a special interest in the area though. Here in the U.K many practices have G.P's who have done some extra training in specific areas. GP's who have some mental health training will be more informed and aware of up to date research and developments (hopefully ).

CEM

I would recommend asking to see a G.P who has a special interest in the area

This is important. Misdiagnosis can be a real problem if inappropriate medication is prescribed. It can make some illnesses much worse.

BARDI77

Thank you everyone

manx2010

I am GP myself and would say a GP can prescribe. while a GP with special interest is good, an ordinary GP is often well equipped to make the initial assessment and treat if confident to do so or refer to a specialist if necessary.

Genevieve

If you have an illness which has already been diagnosed, it's pretty simple, you just go to the GP and tell them of it, plus the meds you're on. All GPs have the capacity to prescribe meds for depression, anxiety, etc etc. - basically any meds required by mental illness.

However if you haven't been formally diagnosed, the GP can either treat you themselves (by prescribing the meds they think will work for you) or they have the option to refer you to a psychiatrist. It's probably 50/50 as to how each GP responds. Sometimes they start out treating you themselves, but if you're not responding well, they then refer you to a psychiatrist as they realise it's a bit out of their capacity to help. (This happened to me when I became clinically depressed.) Also, they are much more likely to treat anxiety or depression themselves, whereas the more complex stuff to treat like schizophrenia or bipolar tends to get referred to psychiatrists earlier.

However if you're already on a regime that works for you, pretty much any GP will be happy to keep prescribing whatever it is you're on.

Dorothy

GPs cannot prescribe "basically any meds required by mental illness". There are many medications which are restricted and therefore must be prescribed by a specialist. Risperidone (antipsychotic) is one such med.

BARDI77

Thank you everyone,


If I start taking any medicine, should I inform RTA QLD? Or will it depend on the type of medicine?

Is there any list showing the medicines affects the driver ability to drive?

I really prefer not to take any medicine if I get deprived from driving/having limitations when driving.

manx2010

Hi Bardi77,

your GP can advice you if you need to inform the driving licencing body.Here is a link that i found helpful http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home...equirements/#2

Dorothy

You don't have to inform anyone. If your doctor finds you legally unfit to drive then it is up to him/her to notify RTA. However, being on medication for depression is not grounds to suspend your license.

BARDI77

Thank you for the reply,


Is it the same story in all states/territories?

Gibbo

Not strictly true. Specialist issues the intitial script and there after the GP issues repeat scripts. Patient only goes back to specialist if medication needs to be adjusted.

moneypenny20

When my daughter applied for her Learners she had to disclose that she was Epileptic and what medication she was on. She now has to carry the medical disclosure slip along with her licence and get a new medical certificate signed off every year. Bit of a pain but at least she's allowed to drive.

BARDI77

What would happen if your daughter didn't inform QLD RTA?

Did her doctor force her to do it?