Help Your Doctors Talk to Each Other About Your Care

You and your primary care provider work together to make sure you are in the best health possible. It’s a two-way street. Your doctor uses training and know-how to guide you. But to give you the best guidance, your doctor needs you to share all the details about your health.

When you go to your PCP for care, share details about your:

• Past health care
• Family health history
• Habits as they relate to your health

Being honest helps build a relationship with your PCP. How well you and your doctor talk with each other is one of the most vital parts of getting good health care, says the National Institutes of Health. 

Coordinating Specialist or Hospital Care

One important thing to share with your PCP is information about any care you’ve had with another health care provider. If you’ve had care in any health care setting outside of your primary care physician’s office, there are three things you can do to ensure a smooth transition.

If you’ve been in the hospital, ask for a visit or discharge summary. Ask your health care provider to send a discharge or visit summary to your PCP. The summary information includes a list of medicines you were prescribed. It’s important that your PCP reviews the medicines prescribed. They will decide if any further medication changes are needed.

The summary also lets your PCP know the reason services were needed, what tests were done and what follow-up is needed.

Follow up with your PCP. After you’ve had specialist care or a hospital visit, make sure to schedule a follow-up visit with your PCP. That way you can discuss the care you received, test results or medicine changes. It also helps make sure you get safe, timely follow-up care.

Doing these two things can help make sure your care is coordinated between your PCP and other providers.

Sign a release of information form. Be sure to give your PCP and other providers permission to speak to each other directly. That way they can share information about your care and progress. You’ll need to sign a “release of information” form with each provider to allow them to share information with each other. You fill in who is allowed to receive your information by adding each provider’s name.

One important thing to share with your PCP is information about any care you’ve had with another health care provider. And give your PCP and other providers permission to speak to each other directly. That way they can share information about your care and progress. You’ll need to sign a “release of information” form with each provider to allow them to share information with each other. You fill in who is allowed to receive your information, so you can add each provider’s name.

Coordinating Mental Health Care

If you’ve had a behavioral/mental health issue, your care may have started with your PCP. Family physicians are one of the primary sources for mental health care for many people, says the American Association of Family Physicians. 

If you’re also going to a mental health provider for care, be sure to share details with your PCP. Primary care and mental health care providers work together to treat their patients. Remember to sign the release form that allows them to share information.

If you’re being treated for both physical and mental health issues, be sure all of your doctors know this. One health concern can affect another. And mental health symptoms may make it hard to know if you have a physical problem. That’s why primary care and mental health care providers work together to treat their patients.

Some medicines used for mental health issues can affect you physically. To keep you safe and healthy, your doctors all need to know what you’re taking.

Remember to sign the release form that allows your providers to share information.

Your PCP Takes the Lead
Your mental health provider is a vital part of your care team. But even when you’re seeing another doctor, your PCP remains your overall care manager. Because your PCP knows all of your physical and mental health history and concerns, your PCP is in the best position to coordinate your care. 

Your PCP will support you and your mental health care provider’s treatment plan. So be sure to tell your PCP about your mental health treatment, and remember:

• Don't be afraid to bring up any concerns about your diagnosis, even if the discussion makes you uncomfortable.
• Your PCP is there to be your advocate. Your PCP can help your behavioral health doctor with managing your care.

Sources: Talking with Your Doctor,  National Institutes of Health, 2024; Mental Health Care Services by Family Physicians,  American Association of Family Physicians, 2024; How Your Primary Care Physician and Specialists Work Together,  University of Michigan Medicine, 2022