Or… maybe 20 minutes, tops. This by far, is the #1 complaint that I hear from my clients when it comes to working with their psychiatrist.
This is one of the dumbest things that psychiatry has ever adopted. Patients are much like experimental subjects, representative of their symptoms and complaints, and are objectified in such a way that treating their faulty brain chemistry or whatever else the medication is supposed to do for them is the primary goal. There’s little or no partnering with the patient in the 15-minute model and the environment not only defines the parameters of session, it establishes the doctor as the one who know best – making this essentially a drug trial with one subject.
In traditional, well-designed drug trials, subjects are often seen weekly and are exposed to lots of contact with other professionals as well as support systems that include receiving psychotherapy.
Time constraints aren’t a valid reason for not seeking the patient’s point of view and treatment preferences. It’s about asking pointed questions and taking a stance indicative of a desire to invite the patient to be an active participant in their care. This doesn’t have to take extra time; it requires judicious use of the time together.
Asking patients what they want and learning something about their everyday lives and their relationships is just being a good doctor – regardless of the practice discipline.
