Psychiatrist Report

[JenTex]

I am an American planning on applying for PR in February through spousal sponsorship. I had my upfront medical done on my last visit to Vancouver. Since I am taking an antidepressant, the panel physician said she needs a psychiatrist report. She also typed up a referral form with the name and address of the clinic that I go to. This form basically has the psychiatrist verify my identity and then sign and date it after writing up the psychiatrist report which should contain my mental health diagnosis, how it is managed (i.e.medication), whether I've ever been hospitalized for this condition (which I have not), prognosis, whether this condition renders me unemployable (which it does not), and if I am a risk to self or public safety (which I am not). My primary Dr has been managing this for a little over a year now but referred me to a psychiatrist when I decided to change medications. I saw a psychiatrist in September for the first time. His nurse called and said he wrote up the report but refuses to say that I'm not a risk to public safety because he can't do a criminal history check on me. I explained to his nurse that that is something separate and that I have sent off for an FBI check. It's just his opinion if I'm a threat to public safety regarding my depression. She said that he can't verify that because he's only seen me one time. She also said that he won't fill out and sign the referral form. I told her that it is just verifying that I am who I say I am and that he wrote the report. She again said the he won't sign it. My next appointment is in January. I'm hoping to have my FBI clearance by then so maybe if I show it to him then he can feel confident in saying that I'm not a risk to public safety. I've thought about switching to a different psychiatrist but the nearest one is 2 hours away. I've thought about going ahead and visiting Canada and seeing a psychiatrist but I need a referral and it looks like the wait time is approximately 3 months. And neither of those options guarantee that they will write the report and sign the form, especially if it's just one visit. I just don't know what else to do at this point. I know they can't reject me for depression but they can reject me for an incomplete medical. Any advice??

 

[profiler]

I am an American planning on applying for PR in February through spousal sponsorship. I had my upfront medical done on my last visit to Vancouver. Since I am taking an antidepressant, the panel physician said she needs a psychiatrist report. She also typed up a referral form with the name and address of the clinic that I go to. This form basically has the psychiatrist verify my identity and then sign and date it after writing up the psychiatrist report which should contain my mental health diagnosis, how it is managed (i.e.medication), whether I've ever been hospitalized for this condition (which I have not), prognosis, whether this condition renders me unemployable (which it does not), and if I am a risk to self or public safety (which I am not). My primary Dr has been managing this for a little over a year now but referred me to a psychiatrist when I decided to change medications. I saw a psychiatrist in September for the first time. His nurse called and said he wrote up the report but refuses to say that I'm not a risk to public safety because he can't do a criminal history check on me. I explained to his nurse that that is something separate and that I have sent off for an FBI check. It's just his opinion if I'm a threat to public safety regarding my depression. She said that he can't verify that because he's only seen me one time. She also said that he won't fill out and sign the referral form. I told her that it is just verifying that I am who I say I am and that he wrote the report. She again said the he won't sign it. My next appointment is in January. I'm hoping to have my FBI clearance by then so maybe if I show it to him then he can feel confident in saying that I'm not a risk to public safety. I've thought about switching to a different psychiatrist but the nearest one is 2 hours away. I've thought about going ahead and visiting Canada and seeing a psychiatrist but I need a referral and it looks like the wait time is approximately 3 months. And neither of those options guarantee that they will write the report and sign the form, especially if it's just one visit. I just don't know what else to do at this point. I know they can't reject me for depression but they can reject me for an incomplete medical. Any advice??

Did the panel physician refer you to a specific psychiatrist? Did you ask if they would?

 

[JenTex]

No she did not. The panel physician is in Canada and I am now back in the US. I already have a psychiatrist and I did not foresee any issues with getting the report from him.

 

[profiler]

No she did not. The panel physician is in Canada and I am now back in the US. I already have a psychiatrist and I did not foresee any issues with getting the report from him.

I have not been through this situation, so I am not speaking from experience. if you have an appointment scheduled already then attend and ask for the report. Sometimes the front-line staff try to block doctors from excessive requests. If that doesn't work, I would almost ask the clinic who performed the medical if they could recommend or refer you for assessment.

I wonder if the panel physician would accept the report or not. That's why I made the suggestion of the panel physician making the recommendation.

 

[methyl]

refuses to say that I'm not a risk to public safety because he can't do a criminal history check on me

Just have him say something like "I am unable to form an opinion about risk to public safety due to ...." and list the reasons. Your job is done, CIC cannot point fingers at you for not doing your part.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

My next appointment is in January. I'm hoping to have my FBI clearance by then so maybe if I show it to him then he can feel confident in saying that I'm not a risk to public safety.

I know they can't reject me for depression but they can reject me for an incomplete medical. Any advice??

Without the psych report confirming that you are not a public safety danger, you could be declared medically inadmissible.

As an American citizen, you can apply for an FBI clearance through a channeller, which is significantly faster. If you apply for one now, you should have it by mid to late November. You could then take it to the doctor and see if he will sign the form.

 

[ra03ra]

Not talking from experience, but I believe you should do this.

1. Get an FBI & Police clearance that you have never been to jail

2. Have the psychiatrist sign saying he has checked you but can't say if you are risk because he just started seeing you.

3. Show CIC how long you have been working with the public (current job) and get work references and character references to show CIC that you engage with the public and have no problem.

If you have been working for a long time, have no criminal record and diagnosed with "Depression" only, then they shouldn't question you on public safety. I would also get an immigration lawyer opinion before sending this in.

 

[JenTex]

Thank you for all of your responses. The panel physician asked if I had a psychiatrist, then gave me the form for him to sign with the instructions on the report they needed. So it is acceptable. He seems confused although I have explained it to his staff 4 times now. I got a copy of their correspondence and his response was that maybe his nurse can help me (which she cannot write the report) and that he is unable to fulfill my request and that I need to contact my US consulate for clarification. I will check into going through an FBI channeler to expedite my police clearance. I think I may contact the panel physician in Vancouver and explain the situation and see if she can refer me to a psychiatrist there. That way I can go ahead and try to set up an appointment for when I'm there in mid January. If my Dr. decides to do the report when I see him in early January, I can always call and cancel my appointment in Vancouver. I wonder though if I see a psychiatrist in Vancouver, will they even agree to write the report since it will be their first time seeing me? This is so frustrating. And my psychiatrist should have an idea of my employment history. I am a nurse and we both work for the same federal government agency. Their offices are literally in the building next to mine. Surely I would not still be employed there if I were a risk to public safety. I care for patients, sometimes unruly ones, daily.