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

Objective: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.Methods: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.Results: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 rel...