General Psychiatric Assessment
There are a variety of challenges when completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. There are numerous challenges, including privacy issues, ward rounds, assessments by other specialists, protected mealtimes and planned family visits.
In this regard it can be challenging to measure outcomes, especially when it comes to specific outcomes due to illness.
Medical History
The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to learn about the patient's medical history. This includes details of their current health and any medication they are taking, as well as any significant previous medical problems which may have influenced their health and wellbeing. This information can also help the physician determine what psychological tests are appropriate and how many visits may be required before determining an assessment.
This step is often difficult to complete on medical wards due the limited space available as well as interruptions from the ward's rounds, examinations by other specialties and allied health specialists, protected mealtimes and planned visits. It is crucial to find an area that is quiet to conduct the examination and then schedule an appointment that does not interfere with any of these activities. Asking the referrer about their specific concerns will help you determine what type of psychiatric evaluation is needed.
When performing psychiatric assessments on the medical wards in general hospitals, it is crucial to be aware that the physical health problems a patient presents with can affect or even obscure their psychiatric signs and behaviors. This is a frequent issue that is known as diagnostic overshadowing and can be very difficult to avoid. If the patient is admitted to hospital with delirium, but has an diagnosis of dementia in their medical records, it may be tempting to "shadow the delirium' and assume that it is caused by their mental illness. This is not as effective as performing a complete screen for delirium to rule out treatable causes such as stroke.
It is crucial that the psychiatrist who is conducting the assessment of the patient seeks to establish the relationship between the patient's physical and mental issues and to inquire about any concerns or complaints the patient may have about their treatment, care or the way their health condition is being treated. The basic model recommended in the reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy way to accomplish this, however it can be a challenge to implement it in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask you about your family history to determine if there's a mental health problem within your family. They will also inquire about any traumas you've experienced or abuse, and your current social status (including your relationships, work and whether you have assistance from your home). You may be asked questions about your religious beliefs and about your ambitions and hopes. The psychiatrist will then make an assessment and formulate a treatment plan that will suit your requirements.
The psychiatrist should also check physical symptoms. They will test the patient's blood pressure, listen to the heart and lungs and examine for any other medical issues which could be causing or aggravate the psychiatric symptoms.
It is often helpful for the psychiatrist to obtain a full physical from the general practitioner of the patient but this isn't always feasible especially for patients who are extremely sick and inpatients on psychiatric wards. The patients on these wards may only have very infrequent face-to-face contact with psychiatrists, or none at all. In these cases, it is vital that the psychiatrist's staff or care coordinators take an proactive role in ensuring the physical health requirements of patients are met.
Psychiatrists should also be able to understand why a patient is being evaluated and what they hope to achieve through their psychiatric evaluation. They must be able to interpret medical letters and examine reports of tests from the GP or another health professional. They must be able to communicate effectively with the medical team of the patient about the tests completed to ensure that any medication or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is a key component of any psychiatric evaluation and should include the patient's personal psychiatric diagnosis and past treatment, as well as information about their alcohol and drug use. If possible, it is essential to gather an entire family history to assess the risk of certain disorders such as bipolar disorder. Screens that are brief to gather lifetime information about psychiatric conditions on informants as well as first-degree relatives are helpful, but there is the benefit of obtaining a complete family psychiatric history as well.
Symptoms
In the course of a psychiatric evaluation your doctor will inquire with you about your symptoms and how they have affected your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history, as well as any other issues that may be relevant. It may be uncomfortable at times, but it is important to answer honestly and completely to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
If you are suffering from mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, it is important to get a psychiatric evaluation to see whether or not you require treatment. While it is normal to have periods of low mood or stress from time to time, if these symptoms last for more than several weeks and impact your daily life It is likely that you require treatment.
Your psychiatrist will ask you about your symptoms and any other issues that are affecting you, such as family or work issues or abuse of substances. They will also ask about your physical health, sleep habits, and whether you've tried other approaches to manage your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also inquire about your experiences with mental illness. They can also use standard assessment tools or psychological tests to help you understand your current situation. These tests may include questionnaires, personality assessments or cognitive tests to determine your level of distress.
If the psychiatric assessment shows that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms that are manifested by hallucinations or delusions that are substantial departures from consensual reality, the psychiatrist will need to perform a more in-depth examination and may need to take you to the hospital for observation. In these cases you'll need to be re-evaluated by another psychiatrist before you are able to return home.
If you're seeking an evaluation for psychiatric disorders, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the care and support you require. The team of experienced and knowledgeable professionals are committed to ensuring that you have all the information you require about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book a psychiatric examination on the internet or by phone today.
Psychological tests
The use of various tests is a crucial aspect of a psycho-psychological assessment. Psychological tests are written or verbal assessments that are designed to test unobserved constructs. They are typically used to assess the traits of a person's personality and emotional functioning. They can be used to determine a mental health condition's severity, like depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is typically done by an experienced psychologist who read more has been trained. The patient must follow certain instructions to get accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment can vary in terms of the type and quantity of tests they employ, depending on the person's condition and symptoms. A general psychiatric examination can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or in-depth and lengthy, like a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests can be used to determine if a patient has a concussion or brain injury.
All types of psychiatric assessments provide a look at the patient's emotional and psychological functioning. In the hospital, doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists may conduct these tests to evaluate the patient's mood emotional reactivity, cognitive abilities. Private therapists may also conduct them in their offices to gather information for the development of a treatment plan and to determine whether a patient would benefit from medication or another form of therapy.
Psychological evaluations include tests of intelligence and achievement that measure various types of cognitive functioning (often called IQ) and performance in comparison to a standard group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability to perform a task, such as a memory test or a word association test. Psychologists are the only experts with a vast amount of training and experience to administer and interpret psychological tests.
A psychiatric evaluation is designed to match the patient with a medical professional that can provide treatment and management. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient, and how it relates to the symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis, which is how a particular diagnosis is expected to change in time.