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General Psychiatric Assessment
The challenges of carrying out mental health assessments in general medical settings are numerous. This includes privacy issues, ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, secure time for meals and visits from family members.
It can also be difficult to quantify outcomes in this context, and there are particular challenges for specific outcomes related to disease as well as patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical History
The first step in a general psychiatric evaluation is to determine the medical history of the patient. This will include details of their current health and any medications they're taking in addition to any significant previous medical problems which may have influenced their current health and wellbeing. This information can help the professional decide what psychological tests are appropriate and how many visits may be required before determining diagnosis.
This is often a challenge to complete on medical wards due to the limited space available as well as interruptions from visits to the ward, assessments by other specialties, allied health professionals, protected mealtimes and planned visitors. It is worthwhile to schedule an appointment time that doesn't clash with the other activities listed above and locate a quiet place for the examination to be conducted. It is also beneficial to ask the referrer what their particular concerns are to identify precisely what type of psychiatric evaluation is required.
When performing psychiatric assessments on the medical wards in general hospitals, it is important to be aware that the physical health problems the patient is suffering from can influence or even mask their psychiatric symptoms and behavior. Overshadowing by diagnosis is a common problem and is difficult to avoid. For instance when an individual has been admitted for a delirium and has a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia in their medical record then it is tempting to "shadow" the delirium by assuming it is caused by their existing mental illness rather than carry out a full screening for delirium to rule out causes that are treatable such as stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist assessing the patient tries to establish the connection between the patient's physical and psychological issues, and also to identify any concerns or complaints the patient has about their treatment, care or way their health condition is being handled. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) suggests an approach to achieve this. However, it could be difficult to implement in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask you about your family history in order to determine if there's a mental health problem within your family. They will also ask about any experiences you've had with trauma or experienced, as well as your current status in the social world (including your work, relationships and if you receive support from home). You may be asked questions about your religious beliefs as well as about your goals and dreams. The psychiatrist will make an assessment, and then design a treatment plan that is suited to your requirements.
The psychiatrist should also check physical symptoms. They will examine the patient's blood pressure and listen to the lungs and heart and look for any other medical issues that may be causing or aggravate the psychiatric symptoms.
It is beneficial for a psychiatrist to receive a complete physical from the doctor who is treating the patient However, this might not always be possible, particularly with those who are sick or are inpatients in psychiatric units. They may have very little or no interaction with psychiatrists. In these cases it is crucial that the psychiatrist's nurses or care coordinators play a active role in ensuring that the physical health requirements of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists must also be able to comprehend why a person was referred to them and what they hope to gain from their psychiatric examination. They must be able to interpret medical letters and review the results of tests provided by the GP or another health professional. They must communicate effectively with the medical team that is treating the patient to determine what investigations have been carried out to ensure that any medication or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is an important component of any psychiatric assessment. It should contain information about the diagnosis of the patient's psychiatric illness as well as past treatment, as well as alcohol and drug usage. If it is possible, it is important to obtain the family history to determine the risk of certain disorders such as bipolar disorder. It is useful to use brief screens that gather the lifetime psychiatric information of informants and their first-degree relatives, however, it is equally important to obtain an entire family psychiatric history.
Signs and symptoms
In the course of a psychiatric evaluation the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they have affected 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 it is important to be honest and complete to ensure a precise diagnosis.
If you're experiencing mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety it is crucial to seek a psychiatric examination to determine whether or not you require treatment. While it is normal to be afflicted with stress or low mood occasionally but if the symptoms last longer than several weeks and impact your daily life, it is likely that you need treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms Your psychiatrist will also inquire about any other issues that may be impacting your health, such as issues with work and family or addiction issues. They will also ask about your physical health, sleep habits and if you have tried other approaches to manage your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist might also ask you about your previous experiences with mental illness. They may also use assessments that are standardised, or 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 your psychiatric examination finds that you suffer from psychotic symptoms, for example hallucinations or delusions that are quite different from what is thought to be real, the psychiatrist may need to perform an in-depth exam and then admit you to the hospital for observation. You will have to be evaluated again by a psychiatrist before you are allowed to go home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the assistance and care you require. The team of friendly and experienced professionals is committed to providing you with the necessary information regarding your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book a psychiatric examination on the internet or by phone today.
Psychological Tests
The use of different tests is an important part of a psycho-psychological examination. Psychological tests are written or verbal assessments designed to measure non-observed constructs. They are used to determine the emotional state of a person and personality traits. They can be used to determine the severity of a certain mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is usually done by a trained psychologist and requires the patient to follow certain guidelines 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 examination can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or extensive and long, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. published here can be used to determine if there's an injury to the brain or concussion.
All kinds of psychiatric assessments can provide a picture of the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. In hospitals doctors, psychologists, and sometimes psychiatrists conduct these evaluations to assess a patient's mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive abilities. Private therapists may also conduct them in their offices to gather data to develop a treatment plan, and to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or a different form of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are examples of psychological tests. These tests test cognitive performance (often known as IQ) in comparison to a normal group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability of tasks, like an assessment of memory or an assessment of word association. Psychologists are the only professionals with extensive training and expertise in conducting and interpreting psychological tests.
A psychiatric exam is designed to match the patient with a physician who can offer treatment and management. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient and how it relates with their symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis, which means how a particular diagnosis can be expected to progress over time.
