rTMS outpatient treatment program
A model is currently in place across Aurora Healthcare Hospitals for a rTMS fee for service option which allows patients to receive rTMS as an outpatient with minimal disruption to their lifestyle.
Outpatient rTMS process
Referral
A referral from a general practitioner or psychiatrist is required to a South Eastern Private Hospital psychiatrist requesting rTMS treatment as an outpatient.
Pre-admission assessment
A Pre-admission assessment will be arranged to determine your suitability based on your clinical inclusion criteria and financial assessment will be undertaken. Allocation of a psychiatrist credentialed to a Aurora Healthcare hospital will then be made and an outpatient appointment will be arranged.
Session 1 – initial rTMS assessment
A one hour initial assessment consultation with a Psychiatrist to determine your suitability for rTMS will be arranged. Pre-treatment screening, baseline outcome measurements and patient consent will also be obtained. This will be billed via the doctors' private practice. Once you have been assessed as a suitable candidate for outpatient rTMS, you will be listed and booked for rTMS and notified of your RMT appointment.
Session 2 – resting motor threshold
A resting motor threshold is then conducted by a psychiatrist with specialised training in rTMS and this acts as the prescription for the basis of the treatment.
Acute course
You will be booked for an acute course of rTMS commencing with 20 - 30 treatments. Treatment will be administered 7 days/week.
Ongoing reviews with your treating/prescribing psychiatrist can be booked via the psychiatrists private practice. You will be billed by your doctors private practice. Rates may vary. Please discuss this directly with your treating psychiatrist.
Evaluation of treatment outcomes
In order to evaluate the outcomes of rTMS treatment you will be asked to complete questionnaires on your mental state at the beginning of (pre) treatment and again after two weeks (mid), four weeks (end), and then finally two weeks following completion of (post) treatment that is around 6 weeks after commencing your rTMS treatment. The tools we use are internationally recognized so that we can benchmark the information and continue to improve our treatments.
How to access the service
To find out more and discuss the best options for you, please contact our team today by phoning 03 9549 6555.
Alternatively, talk to your GP and request a referral for rTMS treatment as an outpatient today.
Referrals can be submitted on our online GP/specialist admission referral form link below or emailed to [email protected].