As a general internal medicine clinic, Princeton Baptist Medical Center’s internal medicine resident clinic cares for patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Although this diagnosis is not uncommon, the clinical presentation and medication management of bipolar disorder is not well understood and is an interest within the clinic. Since the medication therapies utilized in the management of bipolar disorder are variable by the patient and can lead to specific drug interactions, it is important for all members of the healthcare team to feel confident in caring for patients with bipolar disorder. 

The internal medicine clinic healthcare team consists of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and social workers. Each member of the healthcare team works together to optimize the health and well-being of each patient. The purpose of this presentation includes educating the healthcare team of the types of bipolar disorder, the clinical presentation of bipolar disorder, the medications utilized for each type of bipolar disorder, common adverse effects, and common drug interactions in which each member of the team should be aware of in order to take adequate care of each patient in the clinic with a bipolar disorder diagnosis.

Sam Legg and Caroline Jackson, fourth-year pharmacy students at Auburn University’s Harrison College of Pharmacy, are assisting with the development and presentation of this program.