April 24, 2025
Episode 05
When most people think of hospitals, they picture emergency surgeries, critical care, or life-saving medication. But what about the mental health side of healing?
In this episode of Prescription for Admission, I sat down with the brilliant Dr. Nyota Pieh to pull back the curtain on something often overlooked in acute care: the vital role of psychiatry in hospitals.
We talked about what it really means when a patient is struggling with capacity, how delirium affects decision-making in high-stress environments like the ICU, and why psychiatric support is just as important as physical treatment during a hospital stay.
Whether you’re a caregiver, a healthcare professional, or someone who’s ever felt lost navigating a hospital setting, this conversation is going to shift your perspective.
Episode Notes
In this candid and deeply informative conversation, Dr. Nyota Pieh helps us understand how mental health and acute medical care are deeply connected, especially during hospital admissions.
We explore:
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What “capacity” really means in terms of making medical decisions
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How delirium complicates a patient’s ability to advocate for themselves
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Why psychiatrists are essential allies for both patients and care teams
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The challenges of accessing acute psychiatric care when it’s needed most
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The powerful role of family members in patient support and advocacy
Dr. Pieh also shares how early psychiatric intervention can not only improve outcomes but also shorten hospital stays. Her insights will leave you thinking differently about what it means to care for the whole patient, mind and body.
Key Takeaways
Here are a few things I hope you’ll take away from this episode:
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Psychiatry isn’t separate from hospital care—it’s a core part of it
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Patients must be evaluated for capacity to make informed decisions
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Delirium and confusion are more common than we think in acute care
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Families are a crucial part of the care team, especially in mental health
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Access to psychiatric care in hospitals is limited—but necessary
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A familiar face or a calming voice can do more than we realize during recovery
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Early intervention matters—for the patient, their care team, and their outcome
If you’ve ever been in a hospital with a loved one and didn’t know how to advocate for their mental health, or if you’re curious about how psychiatry supports patient recovery in real time—this is the episode for you.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube.
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