Psychiatrists make house calls

PARMA, Ohio - Dr. Archana Brojmohun is a psychiatrist and 4th-year resident in training at University Hospitals. She also works out of her car.

Her patients call her 'Dr. B' when she comes to their homes as part of a new pilot program between UH and the Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio.

The house calls are aimed at helping patients with mental health issues who have received care at area emergency rooms, but must often wait weeks or months for a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist.

"We see the patients after they visit the ER or are released from the hospital until they see their new provider," said Dr. B. "We provide them with medications, we do risk assessments and we do basic monitoring."

The program is funded by a grant from the Ridgecliff Foundation and runs through this August. It is designed to serve 100 patients.

The Visiting Nurse Association told NewsChannel5 they expect to reapply for grant money to continue the program for another year.