General Psychiatric Assessment
The difficulties of conducting psychiatric assessments in general medical settings are numerous. There are numerous challenges such as privacy issues, ward rounds, assessments by other specialists, secured meals and scheduled family visits.
It can be difficult to measure outcome in this setting, with particular challenges for specific outcomes related to disease and patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical Histories
The first step of a general psychiatric evaluation is to determine the medical background of the patient. This will include details of their current health and any medication they are taking in addition to any previous medical issues that could have affected their health and wellbeing. This information will help the physician determine what psychological tests might be appropriate and how many appointments they will require before determining an assessment.
This step is often difficult to complete on medical wards due the limited space available as well as interruptions due to ward rounds, assessments by other specialties and allied health experts, protected mealtimes, and planned visitors. It is essential to locate an area that is quiet to conduct the assessment and then schedule an appointment that doesn't conflict with any of these activities. Asking the referrer about their specific concerns will help determine the type of psychiatric evaluation is needed.
When performing psychiatric assessments on the medical wards of general hospitals, it is important to remember that the physical health problems the patient is suffering from can influence or even mask their psychiatric symptoms and behaviour. Diagnostic overshadowing is a very common problem and is difficult to avoid. If the patient is admitted to hospital with delirium and has an diagnosis of dementia in their medical records, it may be tempting to "shadow the delirium' and assume that it is caused by the mental illness they have already suffered from. This is in contrast to performing a complete screen for delirium to rule out treatable causes such as stroke.
It is crucial that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient attempts to establish a relationship between the psychiatric and physical concerns of the patient and to get complaints or concerns from the patient regarding their treatment, treatment or how their condition is being managed. Reference Osborn & Warner (1998) recommends the most basic approach to accomplishing this. However, it could be difficult to implement in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history in order to determine if there is a mental health problem in your family. They'll also want to know about any traumas or abuse you've had and your current social circumstances (including relationships, work and if you have support at home). You might be asked questions about your religious beliefs and about your ambitions and goals. The psychiatrist will then formulate an assessment and create an appropriate treatment plan to suit your needs.
Physical symptoms are also important and it is essential that the psychiatrist evaluate these as well. They will test the patient's blood pressure, listen to the lungs and heart and search for any other medical conditions which could be causing or exacerbating the psychiatric symptoms.
It is often beneficial for a psychiatrist to get a full physical from the patient's general practitioner, but this isn't always feasible particularly for those who are very ill and those who are inpatients on psychiatric wards. Patients on these wards might have only sporadic face-toface contact with psychiatrists, or none at all. In these situations it is crucial that the psychiatrist's nursing staff or care coordinators take an proactive role in ensuring the physical health requirements of patients are satisfied.
Psychiatrists should also be able understand why a person has been referred and what they expect to achieve through their psychiatric assessment. They should be able to interpret medical letters, review the results of tests and communicate effectively with a person's medical team to determine the best treatment or medication for the patient.
The medical history is an essential part of any psychiatric evaluation. It must include information about the patient's diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and treatment history as well as any alcohol and drug usage. If possible, it is important to collect an entire family history to assess the risk of certain disorders such as bipolar disorder. It is helpful to utilize screens that record lifetime psychiatric data on informants and their first-degree relatives but it is also essential to collect an entire family psychiatric history.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric assessment, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they have affected your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history and any other issues that might be relevant. The process can be uncomfortable at times, but it's vital that you speak truthfully and fully to ensure that a correct diagnosis can be made.
If you're experiencing mental health issues like anxiety or depression it is crucial to seek a psychiatric examination to determine if you need treatment. It is normal to experience periods of low mood and stress, but if they last more than a few days or affect your daily functioning then you might require treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms, your psychiatrist will also inquire about any other issues that could be impacting you, including family and work problems or substance abuse. They will also ask about your physical health, sleep habits, and if you've tried other ways to help your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist might also inquire about your experiences with mental illness. They could also employ standard assessment tools such as psychological tests to get a better understanding of your current situation. These tests could include personality assessments, questionnaires or cognitive tests to determine your level of distress.
If the psychiatric evaluation confirms that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms, manifested by hallucinations or delusions that are substantial departures from consensual reality, the psychiatrist will need to conduct a more thorough exam and may have to take you to the hospital to be observed. You will be required to undergo a second assessment by a psychiatrist before being allowed to go home.
If you're in need of an evaluation for psychiatric disorders, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide you with the support and care you require. The team of helpful and experienced professionals are committed to providing you with the information you require about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric evaluation on the internet or by calling us now.
Psychological tests
An important part of a psychological examination is the use of a variety of tests. Psychological tests are written evaluations or verbal evaluations that measure unobserved constructs. They are typically used to assess a person's personality traits and emotional functioning. They can be used to identify a mental health condition's severity, such as depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually done by a psychologist who is trained and requires the patient to follow specific instructions in order to get accurate results.
Psychiatric assessment can vary in the amount and types of psychological tests employed, based on an individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric test could be short, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more thorough and time-consuming tests, such as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if a patient has a brain injury or concussion.
All types of psychiatric assessments provide a snapshot into the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. In the hospital doctors, psychologists, and sometimes psychiatrists conduct these assessments to determine a patient's mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive abilities. They are also conducted by private therapists at their offices to collect information for a treatment plan as well as to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or other forms of therapy.
A few examples of psychological assessments include tests of intelligence and achievement which test get more info certain types of cognitive functioning (often called IQ) and performance in comparison to a standard group. Other tests are designed to evaluate the ability of tasks, like a memory test or an assessment of word association. Psychologists are the only professionals with extensive training as well as experience conducting and interpreting psychological tests.
A psychiatric evaluation is designed to connect the patient with a doctor who can offer treatment and treatment. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient, and how it relates with their symptoms. The doctor will also speak about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis can be likely to develop in time.