General Psychiatric Assessment
The difficulties of conducting psychiatric assessments in general medical settings are numerous. There are many challenges such as privacy issues as well as ward rounds, examinations by other specialists, secured mealtimes and scheduled family visits.
It is also difficult to measure outcome in this setting, with particular difficulties for outcomes specific to diseases as well as patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical Histories
The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to understand the patient's medical background. This will include details of their current health and any medications they are taking and any medical issues that have occurred in the past that could have affected their health and wellbeing. This information will help the physician determine what psychological tests are appropriate and how many visits may be needed before making diagnosis.
This step is often difficult to complete on medical wards because of the limited space available and interruptions due to visits to the ward, assessments by other specialties, allied health experts, protected mealtimes, and planned visits. It is important to find an area that is quiet to conduct the examination and then schedule an appointment that does not conflict with any of these activities. It is also useful to ask the person who refers you what their particular concerns are to identify precisely what type of psychiatric evaluation is required.
When performing psychiatric assessments on medical wards of general hospitals, it is crucial to remember that the physical health problems a patient presents with can influence or even overshadow their psychiatric symptoms and behavior. Overshadowing of diagnostics is a common problem and is difficult to avoid. For instance, if an individual has been admitted for a delirium and they have a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical record it can be tempting to "shadow" the delirium by assuming that it is caused by an existing mental illness instead of carry out a full screening for delirium to rule out causes that are treatable such as stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient attempts to establish a connection between the physical and psychiatric concerns of the patient and to get complaints or concerns from the patient regarding their treatment, their care or how their health condition is handled. The basic model suggested in the reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy way to accomplish this, but it could be a challenge to implement this in the real world.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to determine if there are any mental health issues within your family. They will also ask about any traumas you've experienced or experienced, as well as your current social status (including your work, relationships and if you receive the support of your family). You may be asked about your beliefs in religion, your dreams and ambitions. The psychiatrist will provide an assessment and design a treatment plan that is suited to your needs.
The psychiatrist should also check physical symptoms. They will check the patient's blood pressure, listen to the lungs and heart and examine for any other medical issues that could be causing or aggravating the symptoms of psychiatric illness.
It is often helpful for the psychiatrist to get an all-encompassing physical from the patient's general practitioner however, it's not always possible especially for patients who are extremely sick and inpatients on psychiatric wards. Patients with these conditions may have very little or no face-to-face contact with psychiatrists. In these instances it is essential that psychiatric nurses or care coordinators play a active role in ensuring that the physical health needs of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists check here should also be able to comprehend why a person is being referred to them, and what they hope to accomplish through their psychiatric evaluation. They should be capable of interpreting medical reports and review reports of tests received from an GP or other health professional, and they must communicate effectively with the medical team that is treating the patient to determine the investigations completed to ensure that any medications or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is an essential element of any psychiatric assessment and must include the patient's personal mental health diagnosis and previous treatment, as well as information regarding their alcohol and drug usage. If possible, it is essential to gather an entire family history to assess the risk of developing certain disorders such as bipolar disorder. Screens that are brief to gather lifetime psychiatric information on informants and first-degree relatives can be useful, but there is merit in having a complete family history of psychiatric disorders as well.
Signs and symptoms
In the course of a psychiatric assessment the doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your life. Your psychiatrist will inquire about any relevant issues like your family history. It can feel intrusive at times, but it is important to answer honestly and completely to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
It is crucial to have an assessment for psychiatric disorders in case you suffer from mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. This will tell you if you need treatment. While it is normal to be afflicted with stress or low mood from time to time however, if these symptoms last longer than two weeks and interfere with your daily activities it is likely you require treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms Your psychiatrist will also ask about any other issues that might be affecting you, such as issues with work and family or addiction issues. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleeping habits and whether or not you've tried any other strategies to help with your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist could also inquire about your past experiences of mental illness. They could also employ standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to get a better understanding of your situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality assessments or cognitive tests to determine the level of stress you are experiencing.
If your psychiatric examination shows that you have psychotic symptoms, for example hallucinations and delusions which are quite different from what is thought to be reality, then the psychiatrist might have to conduct a thorough examination and then admit you to the hospital for observation. You will need to undergo a second evaluation by a psychiatrist before being allowed to return home.
If you're seeking an evaluation for psychiatric disorders, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide the support and care you deserve. The team of knowledgeable and friendly professionals are committed to providing you with the necessary information regarding your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book your psychiatric examination online or by phone now.
Psychological Tests
The use of different tests is an important part of a psycho-psychological evaluation. Psychological tests are written assessments or verbal evaluations that measure unobserved constructs. They are used to determine a person's emotional functioning and personality characteristics. They can also be used to determine the severity of a certain mental illness, for example, anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by a qualified psychologist and requires the patient to follow certain guidelines to get precise results.
Psychiatric assessments can vary in the number and type of psychological tests they utilize dependent on the person's condition and symptoms. A general psychiatric examination could be short, like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE), or more in-depth and time-consuming, 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 issues.
All types of psychiatric examinations provide a snapshot into the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. They are carried out by psychologists, doctors, and sometimes psychiatrists in hospitals to evaluate a person's present mood, emotional reactivity, and cognitive abilities. Private therapists are also able to conduct them in their offices to gather information for the development of a treatment plan and to determine if patients would benefit from medication or a different form of therapy.
A few examples of psychological assessments include tests for intelligence and achievement that measure various types of cognitive functioning (often referred to as IQ) and performance in comparison to a standard group. Other tests are designed for evaluating the ability to perform tasks, like a word association or memory test. Psychologists are the only experts who have the training and experience to administer and interpret psychological tests.
The aim of a psychiatric examination is to match the patient with a medical professional who can offer treatment and treatment. When the examination is completed, the doctor will inform the patient about the diagnosis and how it is related to their presenting symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis, which means how a particular diagnosis is expected to change in the future.