Information for Subjects
Independent Psychiatric Examination
If you have been asked to undergo independent psychiatric
examination by Dr. Edwards, it is important that you understand
how this kind of examination differs from a visit to your own
physician.
- Purpose: The purpose of this examination will not
be to provide you with a diagnosis or treatment. The
purpose is to provide the party requesting the
examination (Dr. Edwards' "client") with an
opinion.
- Payment: Since the examination is performed for a
third party (not yourself or the doctor) you will
ordinarily not pay for the examination. Neither should
your medical insurance be expected to pay for this kind
of examination. Dr. Edwards will not submit a claim for
reimbursement for this examination under your medical
plan.
- Time: You should expect to spend an entire day or
more to complete the examination. Usually you will begin
by taking a psychological test. Please allow enough travel time to arrive early.
You may be held responsible for payment of a cancellation
fee if you do not provide at least two days notice that you will not
appear for the examination.
- Medical records from your treatment
providers: Dr. Edwards requires access to all prior treatment
records before rendering his opinion. He considers that each provider must
provide a complete record (not a summary) with authorization by the subject
of the examination. Failure to provide complete records may be deemed
failure to cooperate with the examination.
- Information gathered: Subjects of independent
examinations often wonder what a particular question
"has to do with" the purpose of the
examination. Almost any fact from your past or that of
any member of your family may be important in examining
you from a psychiatric perspective. Dr. Edwards will ask
questions about symptoms, medical illnesses, medications,
drug and alcohol use, your childhood, your family, your
education, work and military history. (WAC 296-20-330
(1c) requires enquiry into specified areas for workmen's
compensation determinations.) He will also perform what
is called a mental status examination. This is the
psychiatrist's portion of a physical examination. Dr.
Edwards will not ordinarily perform a traditional
physical examination.
- Confidentiality: Since the purpose of the
examination is to assist another party it is essential
that Dr. Edwards be allowed to release a full report of
the information he gathers to support his opinions to
that party without restriction. You will be asked to sign
an authorization for
release of medical information
before Dr. Edwards will examine you. Dr. Edwards will
include all the information you provide in his report at
his sole discretion. He cannot leave information out at
your request. Refusal to answer and distortions of
information may adversely affect Dr. Edwards' opinion in
ways that may be difficult to predict.
- Accompanied examination: You will not ordinarily be
allowed to bring a friend or family member into the
examination room. You may be permitted to be accompanied by
your attorney or other professional. This should be
agreed to by all parties prior to the day of examination.
The person who accompanies you may not participate in the
examination. If he or she attempts to do so, Dr. Edwards
may stop the examination. Please do not bring young
children unless another adult can supervise them in the
waiting area. You may bring an infant into the
examination with you.
- Recording of examination: Dr. Edwards does not
ordinarily tape record or video tape his examinations.
You or your attorney may be permitted to record the
examination with the permission of the party requesting
the examination. This should be agreed to by all parties prior to the day of examination.
- Results: Dr. Edwards will not provide you with a
diagnosis or recommendations. Although he attempts to
prepare the report in a timely fashion, it may be several
weeks before it is completed. If you have a special
reason to want the results to be available quickly,
please communicate your wishes to the party requesting
the examination and direct all your past and present treatment providers
to send your complete record to Dr. Edwards immediately.
- Location: The examination will take place at Dr.
Edwards' office at 14535 Bel-Red Road | Suite B-200 |
Bellevue, WA 98007 | (425) 637-1981. Please see Driving Directions
to Dr. Edwards' office.
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