Expert witness outlines standard of care for prescribing psychotropic medications

During direct examination, the witness qualified as an expert described the standard-of-care process for prescribing psychotropic medications. The witness said a prudent practitioner should first "establish chief complaint, which could be a diagnosis or a behavior," then "review documents that you have available," interview the patient and review medical and substance histories before formulating a diagnosis or behavior to address.

The witness further testified that a practitioner should "review any options with the patient as far as pharmacological intervention or nonpharmacological intervention" and explain "any side effects or how the mechanism of action" would help the chief complaint. When a health-care representative is appointed, the witness stated the representative "has been appointed to represent the patient ... in all decision making ... which would include medication and treatments."

The witness confirmed she reviewed multiple department exhibits (medical records and written opinion letters listed on the record) and adopted her prior written findings as part of today's testimony. The panel accepted the witness's testimony as part of the evidentiary record for consideration in the disciplinary proceeding.