Primary Care Collaboration

Another important aspect of our curriculum is learning to interact effectively with primary care physicians. In practice they will be a major source of referrals and in some instances, will provide mental health services with consultation from psychiatrists. The learning experience is accomplished in five ways.

1. Dr. Matt Layton provides a weekly psychiatric consultation clinic for the Family Medicine Residency in Spokane.  Family Medicine residents refer patients with diagnostic and medication questions. A psychiatry and family medicine resident participate in this clinical experience.
2. Psychiatry residents see Family Medicine patients who have been referred for long-term counseling.  The Psychiatry residents utilize the medical charts and consult with the referring resident.
3. A behavioral science faculty member in the Family Medicine Residency is available for consultation and supervision.
4. A behavioral science elective is offered in the family Medicine Residency to enhance skills in treating chronic pain, insomnia, obesity, tension-type headaches, and other common primary care presenting problems.
5. There are research opportunities available.