Our PCL psychiatrists have consulted with providers practicing in 33 of Washington’s 39 counties. When asked if they would use the PCL again, 95% said yes and would recommend the program to colleagues. Here’s what they have to say:
Ferry County: Patients with complex medication regimens…are daunting patients to get. The feeling of inadequacy to care for these patients as a primary care practitioner is significant and given any options, I’d refer these patients to a psych specialist. However, that is frequently not an option in the rural area I work and that is where PCL comes in. I know that I have someone who I just need to call and they will help me navigate monitoring, safety, screening, and medication management KINDLY! I don’t have to worry about sounding stupid, I just need to call and then follow-up with them as needed. It has given me the power to offer services to my patients I otherwise could not and gives them second-hand access to some of the state’s best psychiatric care. It has made me a better provider because I learn something every time I call and discuss a case with their physicians. I’m beyond thankful for PCL. I recommend it to all of my colleagues. If you work in a clinic with limited access to psychiatric/mental health services, the PCL can be an enormous asset – use it!
Yakima County: I provide forensic mental health evaluations and have no in house peer, so the consult was helpful in my assessment of a vulnerable person with legal problems.
King County: I have called the PCL line twice and I absolutely LOVE having it as a resource. I feel confident in my ability to manage mood disorders in medically complex patients in large part thanks to the PCL. Thank you for this incredible resource!!!
Pierce County: I recently had a patient who was very complex with his psychiatric needs. I was unable to get him connected to a psychiatrist for several months. Patient needed to have his medications changed drastically. I was not as familiar with some of the antipsychotics that he was on. When I found your service, I was extremely excited to be able to offer my patient care prior to getting him connected to in-person psychiatry. Your psychiatrist helped me immensely. I was able to successfully manage my patient’s medication, and he is doing very well. Your service is absolutely wonderful.
Spokane County: I work at a Native Clinic/FQHC. Resources available are limited. I feel I have the medium level abilities to handle most patients. There are some who are tough and need more expertise. I love having access to colleagues who routinely are supportive and make me a better doc and my patients healthier.
Whatcom County: This is the most important service available to providers. Thank you for having this in place when the wait to see psychiatry is often months.
Okanogan County: I am an FNP in Okanogan County at an FQHC, a county with only 1 psych NP. Most of our patients have transportation obstacles to pursuing care in Wenatchee or Spokane/Seattle. Referral is often simply not an option. I couldn’t help these folks without the PCL! I’ve learned an incredible amount of clinical pearls and the guidance has truly helped the patients manage their symptoms. Thank you!
Skagit County: As a primary care physician, there is a lot of psychiatry I handle due to a lack of psychiatrist in the area, insurance issues or long wait times. There are cases that have eluded me, and I have just been at a loss for a patient. UW Provider Psych line was incredibly helpful. I was able to facilitate patient care, they help reinforce the right things I was doing and helped me understand which medication use would be helpful in each of my situations. The providers were empathetic, and I cannot say I have had a bad experience with UW psych line to date. I appreciate you guys, and my patients are better managed because of you guys.
Stevens County: As a rural health care physician my patients do not have access to robust mental health care. Without this program many would not get the treatments they need.
King County: This service is the most amazing consultation resource I have ever used. To be able to make almost immediate contact with an attending physician, who seems to have unlimited time to offer, is utterly unique. This has allowed me to get a patient, who urgently needs treatment, on meds right away & helped me determine the level of risk. I learned a lot every time I called, & the consultants were unfailingly gracious.