Medical Services: Accessibility is a key factor in the delivery of services

Whether virtually or in person, Bert Nash Center’s Medical Services Team is here to help.

“We are available for people to get help, via phone, or video as well as in person,” said Dr. Timothy McCord, Medical Services psychiatrist.

During a pandemic, with so many stressors in people’s lives such as job loss, loss of insurance, and remote learning challenges, the Medical Services team’s services may be needed now even more than ever.

Even though most medical insurance companies cover both diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, many other issues arise that they do not cover, such as out-of-pocket expenses like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

“We’re here to help with all sorts of issues that people might have going on,” Dr. McCord said. “There has been a lot of stress on families. Psychiatric work isn’t just about the individual, the family is always involved. We’re here to help if people are going through hard times.”

Bert Nash Center’s Medical Team serves all ages: adults, children and adolescents.

“People just need to have an intake done and then we will be able to get them seen by the appropriate provider,” Dr. McCord said.

For the Medical Services Team, accessibility is a key factor in the delivery of services.

“For people with mental illness, accessibility is a big deal,” said Dr. Spencer Harrison, psychiatrist.

Using a scheduling system called Right Time Care, appointment times with the Medical Services Team are scheduled quickly, within one to five days. Additionally, they can provide patients with quality medical assistance, prescriptions, and other services at an affordable rate. This can make healthcare services more accessible to people who could not afford costly facilities.

Moreover, medical industries such as pharma, hospitals, small clinics, and research centers may also employ marketing strategies that can work as a way to improve awareness within the population related to severe medical conditions, which can help to obtain treatment as soon as possible.

“Right Time Care is getting people into their appointments a lot faster,” Dr. Harrison said. “Having it be fast and easy is a big deal for people.”

With the pandemic, Dr. Harrison said many of his patients are experiencing increased anxiety. He sees children and adults up to age 25.

“The isolation has been tough on families, and remote learning can be a challenge,” Dr. Harrison said. “For a lot of my younger patients, it has gotten a lot worse because they have been shut in and there haven’t been a lot of outlets. Young adults who are already financially strained, this has been bad for them with depression and anxiety, because there is a lot more unknown about what they are going to do for rent and paychecks and a lot of them having to move back in with family, which can be a hit to their self-esteem and their independence.”

Virtual therapy has played a critical role in the delivery of psychiatric services during the pandemic.

“Virtual therapy is exclusively what I’m doing now,” Dr. Harrison said. “The good news is that it’s working really well. Sometimes the feed may not be working just right, so I just call the patient on the phone and keep the video going. I’ve noticed the ability to meet with people more consistently due to a technology-driven reduction in barriers.”

Internal communication between various Bert Nash Center teams as well as communication with community partners enhances the delivery of medical services as well as the client experience.

“I think the organizations communicate really well,” said Dr. Harrison, who splits his time between the Bert Nash Center and LMH Health. “I really appreciate the support services we have at Bert Nash. For example, it’s been really helpful to have interaction with the WRAP therapists, who are embedded in the schools. That’s really nice to have that extra set of eyes and ears from people who are trained in these sorts of issues. A lot of time I will get an email from a WRAP therapist about a patient who is having a hard time in school, which can be different from what they may be reporting in their visit with me.”

Family support can also play an important role in the delivery of psychiatric services.

“The family support is really important, especially for kids, but even for young adults,” Dr. Harrison said. “People do better with that family support.”

To schedule an appointment with a Bert Nash Center medical provider, call 785-330-8160.