General Psychiatric Assessment
There are a variety of challenges when completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. There are many issues to be faced such as privacy issues as well as ward rounds, examinations by other specialists, protected mealtimes and scheduled visits to the family.
It is also difficult to measure outcome in this situation, due to particular difficulties for outcomes specific to diseases and patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical History
The first step of a general psychiatric evaluation is to determine the medical background of the patient. This will include information regarding the patient's present condition as well as any medications they are taking and any significant past medical conditions that may have affected their current health and well-being. This information will help the professional decide what psychological tests would be appropriate and the number of appointments they will have to schedule before making an assessment.
This process can be difficult to complete on medical wards because of the limited space and interruptions by the ward's rounds, examinations from other specialties as well as allied health professionals, and protected mealtimes. It is important to find an area that is quiet to conduct the examination and to schedule an appointment that doesn't conflict with any of these activities. Inquiring about the referrer's specific concerns will help determine which psychotherapy evaluation is needed.
When carrying out psychiatric assessments on the medical wards in general hospitals, it is crucial to keep in mind that physical health problems a patient presents with can affect or even obscure their psychiatric symptoms and behaviour. This is a problem that is known as diagnostic overshadowing and is very difficult to avoid. For example when the patient was 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 as if that it is caused by an mental illness, rather than perform a full screening for delirium to rule out causes that are treatable such as stroke.
It is crucial that the psychiatrist taking a look at the patient is trying to establish the relationship between the patient's physical and psychological problems and to elicit any concerns or complaints that the patient may have about their treatment, care or way their health condition is being managed. The basic model that is suggested in Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is a simple schema for achieving this, however it can be difficult to implement this in the real world.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to see whether there are any mental health problems within your family. They will also ask about any traumas you've experienced or abused, as well as your current social standing (including your work, relationships and whether you have the support of your family). You might be asked about your religious beliefs and your dreams and goals. The psychiatrist will then make an assessment and create a treatment plan to meet your requirements.
Physical symptoms are equally important and it is vital that the psychiatrist checks these too. They will test their blood pressure, listen and feel the lungs and heart as well as look for other medical conditions that could be causing the psychiatric sign.
It is usually beneficial for the psychiatrist to obtain a full physical from the general practitioner of the patient however, this isn't always possible especially for patients who are seriously ill and inpatients on psychiatric wards. Those on these wards may have only sporadic face-toface contact with psychiatrists or none at all. In these instances it is crucial that psychiatric nursing staff or care coordinators play a proactive role in ensuring the physical health requirements of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists also need to comprehend why a person is being referred to them, and what they hope to achieve from their psychiatric assessment. They need to be able to interpret medical letters and examine reports of tests received from a GP or other health professional, and they must communicate effectively with the person's medical team about the tests carried out to ensure that any treatment or medication can be coordinated.
The medical history is an essential component of any psychiatric evaluation, and this must include the patient's own diagnosis of psychiatric illness and treatment history, as well as information regarding their drug and alcohol use. It is also important to collect a detailed family history, if you can to determine the likelihood of developing certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder, which tends to be inherited by families. It is helpful to use brief screens that record lifetime psychiatric data on informants and their first-degree relatives, but it is equally important to obtain a complete family psychiatric record.
Signs and symptoms
During the psychiatric examination the doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your life. Your psychiatrist will ask you about any relevant issues including your family history. The process can be uncomfortable at times, but it's vital that you speak truthfully and fully so that a precise diagnosis can be determined.
It is essential to undergo an assessment for psychiatric disorders when you are suffering from mental health issues like anxiety or depression. This will help determine whether you require treatment. It is normal to experience periods of stress and low mood however when they last longer than several days or impact your daily functioning then you may need treatment.
Your psychiatrist will ask you about your symptoms and any other issues affecting you, such as work or family problems, or substance abuse. They will also ask you about your physical health, sleeping habits, and whether or not you've tried any other ways to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist could also ask you about your experiences with mental illness. They may also use standardized assessment tools such as psychological tests to gain a better understanding of your situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality tests or cognitive tests to measure your level of distress.
If your psychiatric evaluation finds that you suffer from psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations and delusions which are a significant departure from what is considered to be reality, then the psychiatrist might have to conduct a thorough examination and admit you to the hospital for observation. In these cases you'll need be examined by a different psychiatrist before you can return home.
If you're seeking a psychiatric evaluation, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the care and support you need. The team of skilled and knowledgeable 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 various tests is an important part of a psycho-psychological examination. Psychological tests are written or verbal assessments designed to measure non-observed elements. They are typically used to determine a person's personality traits and emotional functioning. They can be used to determine a person's mental health condition's severity, such as anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by a trained psychologist and requires the patient to adhere to specific instructions in order to get precise results.
Psychiatric assessment can vary in regards to the number and type psychological tests employed, based on the symptoms of an individual. A general psychiatric test could be brief, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more thorough and time-consuming tests, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. A thorough neuropsychological test can be used to assess the presence of brain injuries, concussions, or other neurological conditions.
All types of psychiatric examinations provide a snapshot into the patient's emotional and psychological functioning. They are carried out by psychologists, doctors, and sometimes psychiatrists in the hospital setting to assess a person's current mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive abilities. They are also conducted by private therapists in their offices to gather data for a treatment plan and to determine if a patient may benefit from medication or other forms of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are a type of psychological evaluations. These tests measure cognitive performance (often known as IQ) in comparison to a normal group. Other tests are designed to test the ability to perform a task, such as memory tests or the test of word association. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training and expertise to administer and interpret psychological tests.
A psychiatric examination is designed to connect the patient with a physician who can offer treatment and treatment. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient and how it relates to the symptoms. The doctor will also speak about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis will likely to develop psychiatry assessment over time.