Re: "Psychiatry's Identity Crisis"

To the editor

:

One consequence of 'Psychiatry's identity crisis' (Richard Friedman, 7/19/15) is that many patients pursue treatment with a psychiatrist who prescribes medicine and a psychologist or social worker who engages in psychotherapy.  Known as 'split treatment,' this arrangement can work well if physician and therapist communicate with one another. Too often, however, communication is poor or nonexistent.  This situation can create the proverbial left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.  As fewer psychiatrists take the time to develop skills in psychotherapy and choose drug prescribing as their area of specialty, 'split treatment' is likely to grow in popularity.  It is important for patients to feel empowered and ask, if not expect, members of his/her treatment team to speak with one another during periodic intervals and challenging or complicated phases of either treatment.



Respectfully,


Larry S. Sandberg MD