Guidelines for Communication with Physicians
Caregiver mothers (Moms), you bring the most extraordinary dedication, insight, and compassion to the lives of your adult children living with severe mental illness. The care that Moms provide — often quiet, persistent, and deeply personal — is a powerful part of the recovery journey.
Most physicians understand that families see the day-to-day realities that cannot always be fully expressed during appointments, and many deeply value the perspective, commitment, and love that caregivers bring to the process of care.
Partner with Clinicians. When you share your timely observations, concerns, and updates with physicians you help build a fuller picture that supports safer, more responsive treatment. Your voice really matters. Your experience really matters.
Mental health uses a team approach and it may be easier to communicate with the nurse or social worker involved in your loved one’s care rather than the physician. It may also be the non-physician clinician who sees your loved one the most. Include all their primary clinicians in your communication, e.g. cc your email or registered mail to the involved nurse even if your question is primarily to the physician.
Remember. NS Moms are with you every step of your way on your recovery journey with your loved one.
Why your input is important
Caregiver mothers often hold essential knowledge about their adult child’s history, daily realities, and early warning signs of change. When physicians listen to and thoughtfully consider caregiver input — while respecting patient autonomy, consent, and privacy — care becomes more informed, responsive, and safer.
Respectful partnership between physicians and caregivers strengthens continuity of care, supports better clinical understanding, and contributes to more hopeful outcomes. When caregiver voices are welcomed alongside clinical expertise and patient experience, the shared goals of recovery, safety, and dignity become more achievable for everyone involved.
Physicians are required to receive information presented by caregivers either in writing or verbally. Even when clinicians cannot share details in return, caregiver observations are essential to help identify emerging risks, treatment responses, functional changes, and patterns that may not be visible during brief clinical encounters. Families see what happens between appointments — changes in behaviour, medication effects, stressors, and early signs of relapse — making their perspective an essential part of the clinical picture.
When physicians acknowledge caregiver contributions families feel heard, trust grows, collaboration becomes stronger and clinical outcomes for our loved ones improve.
