Medical Evaluations and Services
Weaver Center is conservative with regard to medical evaluations and treatment of children, adolescents and adults. We have psychiatrists who specialize in psychopharmacological evaluations, consultation, treatment, and follow-up services. Psychopharmacological evaluations and treatment are an integrated part of our comprehensive services. These medical services are often an important team approach to education, individual and family therapeutic support, tutorial services and school and community advocacy for the families we serve. We provide closely monitored medical service to maximize effectiveness.
Because we take the effectiveness of our service very seriously, a significant amount of time, experience, expertise and thoroughness is involved with each individual and family we recommend for medical consultation. This recommendation is made following a comprehensive evaluation of presenting difficulties.
Medical consultations can be utilized as a second opinion if medications are already being prescribed for Weaver Center clients. Our physicians are available for second opinion psychopharmacological evaluations and treatment.
The Weaver Center initial medical consultation begins with the medical doctor reviewing all the information provided. The child, adolescent and/or adult and family members have an initial meeting with the doctor for one and one half hours. During the meeting, there is a full review of documents, immediate and extended family history, history of presenting problems, and a thorough discussion of the selection of medication(s) and dosages.
Clients are thoroughly educated with regard to how the medicine works, the expected benefits, the timeframe expected for the effectiveness of the medicine, and any side effects that are known and should be monitored by the individual and/or family. If appropriate, a prescription is written at the end of the initial consultation.
Following the initial consultation and the writing of a prescription of medicine, a set of follow-up meetings is scheduled to proactively assess the effectiveness, dosages, types of medicines and any side effects. These meetings are, typically, for a half-hour, every two weeks, until the medicines are maximally tailored to the individual's needs. When positive and consistent effects are demonstrated, 15-minute phone calls may be scheduled monthly or less frequently. Some medications require face-to-face review at intervals of no greater than 6 months. The physicians are available, if any complications or questions arise for the client and/or family, with a 24-hour call back time during the work week except on Fridays or weekends.
Our medical doctors are in regular contact with other Weaver Center clinicians and the client's pediatrician or internist to coordinate our efforts. It is critical that a team approach be deployed in carefully monitoring the use and benefit of medications.
Because we take the effectiveness of our service very seriously, a significant amount of time, experience, expertise and thoroughness is involved with each individual and family we recommend for medical consultation. This recommendation is made following a comprehensive evaluation of presenting difficulties.
Medical consultations can be utilized as a second opinion if medications are already being prescribed for Weaver Center clients. Our physicians are available for second opinion psychopharmacological evaluations and treatment.
The Weaver Center initial medical consultation begins with the medical doctor reviewing all the information provided. The child, adolescent and/or adult and family members have an initial meeting with the doctor for one and one half hours. During the meeting, there is a full review of documents, immediate and extended family history, history of presenting problems, and a thorough discussion of the selection of medication(s) and dosages.
Clients are thoroughly educated with regard to how the medicine works, the expected benefits, the timeframe expected for the effectiveness of the medicine, and any side effects that are known and should be monitored by the individual and/or family. If appropriate, a prescription is written at the end of the initial consultation.
Following the initial consultation and the writing of a prescription of medicine, a set of follow-up meetings is scheduled to proactively assess the effectiveness, dosages, types of medicines and any side effects. These meetings are, typically, for a half-hour, every two weeks, until the medicines are maximally tailored to the individual's needs. When positive and consistent effects are demonstrated, 15-minute phone calls may be scheduled monthly or less frequently. Some medications require face-to-face review at intervals of no greater than 6 months. The physicians are available, if any complications or questions arise for the client and/or family, with a 24-hour call back time during the work week except on Fridays or weekends.
Our medical doctors are in regular contact with other Weaver Center clinicians and the client's pediatrician or internist to coordinate our efforts. It is critical that a team approach be deployed in carefully monitoring the use and benefit of medications.