What does an ambulatory psychiatrist do?
A psychiatrist is a medical specialist within mental healthcare who, like other medical specialists, first studies medicine for six to seven years and then specializes in psychiatry for five years. During this training, the psychiatrist develops broad clinical expertise to understand and treat mental health problems from a biopsychosocial model, in which biological, psychological, and social factors are considered in relation to each other. The psychiatrist is proficient in complex psychopharmacology, has knowledge of care networks, and is trained in coordinating care for patients with often complex requests for help and care needs. He or she works closely with other healthcare providers such as general practitioners, psychologists, and social workers, often taking final responsibility within a multidisciplinary framework. Through his medical expertise and overview of the entire care pathway, the psychiatrist contributes to faster diagnosis, better-coordinated treatments, and a lower risk of crisis escalation within a team, with proven better outcomes within the collaborative care model.
Core tasks
- Diagnostics: mapping psychological and somatic complaints, based on clinical interviews, observation, and medical evaluation
- Treatment and guidance: individual consultations, possibly in combination with family or network consultations
- Medication management: prescribing, adjusting, or carefully tapering psychotropic medication when medically appropriate
- Risk management: assessing and monitoring risks such as suicidality or psychotic decompensation
- Crisis intervention: involvement in acute deterioration, with the aim of stabilizing the situation and avoiding admission if possible
- Care coordination: alignment and consultation with other healthcare providers, such as general practitioners, clinical psychologists, social workers, or mobile teams
With whom do ambulatory psychiatrists collaborate?
An ambulatory psychiatrist works in a network of healthcare providers, often taking on a coordinating or consulting role, especially in complex or high-risk situations. He or she actively coordinates with:
- general practitioners for medical follow-up and treatment plan coordination
- clinical psychologists for psychotherapy and psychological diagnostics
- social workers for social-administrative support
- nurses for psycho-education, crisis signaling
- mobile teams for outreach and intensive care at home
- family or relatives, with the patient’s consent
- other doctors e.g. geriatrician, neurologist
