Lawrence organizing Voices for Empowerment (LOVE) page 4... LOVE's mental health consumer/doctor guidelines... The following is a document containing mental health consumer/doctor guidelines developed by Lawrence Organizing Voices for Empowerment (LOVE). These guidelines are written so that we can receive better care and have a common understanding with our psychiatrist(s) working toward our common goal of recovery. The first area we would like to address is our DIGNITY, RESPECT, abd EQUALITY. a) We expect to be treated wuth DIGNITY, RESPECT, and EQUALITY. b) Don't patronize us, or talk down to us. c) Speak clearly to us, and use terms we understand. d) Don't ignore us when we're trying to talk to you. Look us in the face. e) Don't assume we won't understand the narure of our illness. f) Treat us as human beings, don't de-human-ize us. g) Treat us as individuals, not as a 'text-book' case. h) We expect you to treat the poorest of patients as well as the wealthiest patients. Don't discriminate against patients because they're poor. INFORMED CONSENT IS REQUIRED BY LAW. THE FOLLOWING PROCEEDURE IS EXPECTED TO BE FOLLOWD TO EBSURE THAT INFORMED CONSENT IS OBTAINED AND DOCUMENTED. ALL INFORMATION MUST BE COMMUNICATED IN LAYPERSON'S TERMS. ALSO, WE MUST BE INFORMED OF OUR RIGHT TO HAVE A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER PRESENT.: a) Prior to giving the medication, you, the PSYCHIATRIST, advise us of the following: -why we need the medication, and the nature of our illness. -the proposed medication, including benefits(s), side effect(s), and other risk(s). -the likely result(s) of not taking the medication(s). -any available alternatives, including their benefit(s), side effect(s), and other risk(s). -our right to consent to or refuse the medication(s). b) As part of the informed consent process, YOU will give us a fact sheet describing the proposed medication(s)0and it's risk(s), and benefit(s)-including complete information on drug interaction(s). c) We will sign a second copy of the fact sheet(s), which is to be placed in our chart(s), indicating that we have received the fact sheet(s). d) Both we, the consumer, and you, the PSYCHIATRIST, will sign a written statement indicating that we have received all information-and have either accepted, or refused the proposed medication(s). A copy of the signed statement is given to us, and the orignial statement is placed in our chart(s). e) If we have a guardian, YOU would follow these guidelines with the guardian. However, if the medication is anti-psychotic--although information should be shared with the guardian, only a court can give consent to this treatment. f) You will test us at least every three to six months for side effect(s). At that time the informed consent should be reviewed. g) If we have a human-rights concern regarding informed consent for medication(s), we would be reffered to a human-rights officer, who will be available to talk to us as soon as possible, and no later than the next business day. h) If we refuse medication(s), you MUST NOT use retalitory tactics against us. THE THIRD AREA THESE GUIDELINES ADDRESS ARE TREATMENT ISSUES: a) Tell us how long the medication(s) will be necussary. b) Give us complete information on drug interaction(s). c) Tell us how long it will be till a drug works. d) Listen to us when we're having side effect(s). We want you to deal with these even if they show as physical problems. e) Tell us how long the side effect(s) of the drug(s) will last. f) If we have a negative reaction-TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, and tell us what is causing it, and what we should do. g) Tell us if we could become immune to ur medication(s). h) If you wean us off a drug, tell us how long the process will take. i) Tell us what will happen if we take too much of a drug. j) Tell us how much the drug will cost, if we pay out of pocket. THE FOURTH AREA THESE GUIDELINES ADDRESS ARE QUALITY OF CARE ISSUES: a) We should be able to meet with our psychiatrist as often as we feel appropriate. (FOR MED CLINIC ONLY: We should know, IN ADVANCE, when we will get to see our psychiatrist.) b) If we can't reach you by phone, there should be a back0up psychiatrist, to speak with who has access to our case. c) If we inform you 4 hours ahead that we can't make it to our appointment, you should not bill us. The exception to this would be extreme situation(s) such as unforeseen hospitalization(s). FIFTH, WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO DISCUSS OUR RIGHTS UNDER A ROGER'S DECISION. IF A ROGER'S DECISION MAY BE PART OF OUR CASE you must EXPLAIN OUR RIGHTS, AND IT'S FULL IMPLICATIONS TO US. FINALLY, WE FEEL THESE GUIDELINES ARE OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO ENSURE QUALITY TREATMENT. WE EXPECT YOU TO TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY. WE EXPECT YOU TO REVIEW THESE GUIDELINES, AT LEAST ANNUALLY WITH EACH CONSUMER. WE EXPECT THAT YOU POST THEM IN YOUR WAITING ROOM(S), AND HAND OUT A COPY TO EACH OF YOUR PATIENTS. 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