First-Person Perspectives on Prescriber–Service User Relationships in Community Mental Health Centers

Because of changes in health care, there is a greater focus on brief medication management visits as the primary method of providing psychiatric care in community mental health settings. Research on the first-person perspectives of service users and prescribers in these settings is limited. The objective of this study was to describe first-person perspectives on medication management visits and the service user–prescriber relationship.

Researchers conducted qualitative interviews as part of a larger comparative effectiveness trial at 15 community mental health centers, researchers interviewed service users (N=44) and prescribers (N=25) about their perspectives on the typical elements of a medication management visit and asked service users about their relationship with their prescriber.

Both service users and prescribers described medication management visits as very brief encounters focused on medication and symptoms. Most service users reflected on the service user–prescriber relationship in positive or neutral terms; they did not describe the development of a strong therapeutic relationship or a meaningful clinical encounter with prescribing clinicians.

Service users described the service user–prescriber relationship and medication management visit as largely transactional. Despite the transactional nature of these encounters, most service users described relationships with prescribing clinicians in positive or neutral terms. Their satisfaction with the visit did not necessarily mean that they were receiving high-quality care. Satisfaction may instead suggest service users’ disengagement from care. They may need more support to fully participate in their own care.