General Psychiatric Assessment
There are numerous challenges in performing psychiatric examinations in general medical settings. They include privacy concerns as well as ward rounds and assessments by other specialties. They also have issues with meal times and planned visits from family members.
It is also difficult to quantify outcomes in this context, and there are particular difficulties for outcomes specific to diseases as well as patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical Histories
The first step in a general psychiatric evaluation is to establish the medical history of the patient. This will include details of their present condition and any medication they are taking in addition to any previous medical issues that may have influenced their current health and wellbeing. This information will help the physician determine which psychological tests are appropriate and how many appointments may be required before determining an assessment.
This step is often difficult to complete on medical wards due to the limited space available and interruptions due to ward rounds, assessments by other specialties and allied health experts, protected mealtimes, and planned visitors. It is worth trying to arrange an appointment time that does not clash with the other activities listed above and locate a quiet place for the assessment to take place. Asking the referrer about their specific concerns will help determine which psychiatric evaluation is needed.
It is crucial to remember that physical health issues can affect or even overshadow the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. This is a frequent issue that is referred to as diagnostic overshadowing and can be very difficult to avoid. If a patient is admitted with delirium but has an indication of dementia in their medical records, it can be tempting to "shadow" the delirium' by assuming that it is the result of their mental illness. This is not as effective as performing a complete screen for delirium to rule out treatmentable reasons such as stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist assessing the patient is able to establish a relationship between the psychiatric and physical issues of the patient and to elicit concerns or complaints from the patient regarding their treatment, their care or how their health condition is managed. The basic model that is suggested in Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy way to accomplish this, but it can be a challenge to implement this in practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask you about your family history to determine if there's a mental health issue within your family. They'll also want to be aware of any incidents of abuse or trauma you've experienced and your current situation in the social world (including work, relationships and whether you have a support system at home). You may be asked questions about your beliefs in religion and about your ambitions and goals. The psychiatrist will then formulate an assessment and create a treatment plan to suit your needs.
Physical symptoms are equally important and it is vital that the psychiatrist examine these too. They will test the patient's blood pressure, listen to the heart and lungs and search for any other medical issues which could be causing or exacerbating the symptoms of psychiatric illness.
It is often beneficial for the psychiatrist to obtain an entire physical exam from the patient's general practitioner however, this isn't always possible especially for patients who are extremely sick or inpatients on psychiatric hospitals. Patients on these wards might have only sporadic face-toface contact with psychiatrists, or perhaps none at all. In these situations, it is vital that the psychiatric nursing staff or care coordinators play a proactive role in ensuring the physical health needs of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists should also be able to comprehend why a person is being referred to them, and what they expect to accomplish through their psychiatric evaluation. They must be able to read medical letters, review reports 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 component of any psychiatric evaluation and must include the patient's own mental health diagnosis and previous treatment, as well as details about their drug and alcohol use. If it is possible, it is important to collect the family history to determine the risk of certain disorders such as bipolar disorder. Screens that are brief to gather lifetime psychopathological information from informants and first-degree relatives can be helpful, but there is value in obtaining a full family psychiatric history in addition.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric assessment your doctor will inquire with you about your symptoms and how they have impacted your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and any other issues that could be relevant. It can feel intrusive at times, but you need to be honest and complete to ensure a precise diagnosis.
If you are experiencing mental health issues like anxiety or depression it is crucial to undergo a psychiatric assessment to determine whether or not you require treatment. It is normal to have periods of depression and stress however when they last longer than several days or impact your daily life, then you may require treatment.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and any other issues that are affecting you, such as family or work-related 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 could also inquire about your experiences with mental illness. They could also employ standardized assessment tools such as psychological tests to get a better understanding of your current situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality assessments or cognitive tests that assess your level of distress.
If your psychiatric examination shows that you have psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations or delusions that are a significant departure from what is believed to be reality, then the psychiatrist may need to conduct a thorough examination and send you to the hospital to be observed. You will be required to be evaluated again by a psychiatrist before you are allowed to go home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the support and care 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 schedule your psychiatric evaluation online or by phone today.
Psychological tests
A significant aspect of a psychological evaluation is the use of different tests. Psychological tests are written or verbal evaluations designed to measure unobserved elements. They are used to assess a person's emotional functioning and personality characteristics. They can be used to identify a mental illness' severity, such as anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically done by psychologists who have been trained. The patient must adhere to certain guidelines for accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment can vary in the amount and type of tests they employ according to the person and their symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment could be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or in-depth and lengthy, like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. In-depth neuropsychological testing may also be used to assess the presence of a brain injury, concussion or other neurological disorders.
All kinds of psychiatric assessments can provide a picture of the patient's emotional and psychological functioning. In hospitals, doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists may conduct these tests to evaluate the patient's mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive capabilities. They are also conducted by private therapists in their offices to gather data to develop a treatment plan and to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or other forms of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are an example of psychological tests. These tests test cognitive performance (often called IQ) in comparison to a normal group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability to perform tasks, for example, memory or word association test. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training and expertise to administer and interpret psychological tests.
The aim of a psychiatric assessment is to match the patient with a medical professional who can provide treatment and management. After the exam is complete the doctor will inform the more info patient about the diagnosis and how it is related to their presenting symptoms. The doctor will also inform the patient about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis can be expected to progress in time.