Follow-Up Visits by Provider Specialty for Depression Treatment
Do Different Types of Doctors Follow Depression Patients Differently?
Yes. Psychiatrists provide more frequent follow-up visits for depression patients compared to primary care physicians, though many patients across all provider types don’t receive the recommended weekly visits during the critical first 90 days of antidepressant treatment. A study published in Psychiatric Services shows significant variations in follow-up patterns by provider specialty, with gaps between guideline recommendations and actual practice that may impact treatment outcomes.