General Psychiatric Assessment
The challenges of carrying out mental health assessments in general medical settings are numerous. There are numerous challenges, including privacy issues and ward rounds, evaluations by other specialists, secured mealtimes, and planned family visits.
It can also be difficult to determine the outcome in this situation, due to specific challenges for disease-specific outcomes as well as patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical History
The first step in a general psychiatric assessment,
this, is to understand the patient's medical history. This will include details of their current health and any medications they are taking, as well as any previous medical issues that could have affected their current health and wellbeing. This information will help the professional decide which psychological tests are appropriate and how many appointments may be necessary prior to making an assessment.
This process can be difficult to complete in medical wards due to the limited space and interruptions from the ward's rounds, examinations from other specialties, allied health professionals and protected mealtimes. It is important to schedule an appointment time that does not clash with any of these activities and locate a quiet place for the assessment to be conducted. The referrer's particular concerns will help you determine the type of psychiatric evaluation is needed.
When carrying out psychiatric assessments on medical wards of general hospitals, it is important to be aware that the physical health issues that the patient is suffering from can affect or even obscure their psychiatric symptoms and behaviour. Overshadowing by diagnosis is a common issue and is very difficult to avoid. For example, if a patient has been admitted for a delirium and they have a prior diagnosis of dementia on their medical records then it is tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium as if that it is caused by an existing mental illness rather than carry out a full delirium screen to rule out treatment-able causes such as stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient attempts to establish a connection between the psychiatric and physical concerns of the patient as well as to elicit concerns or complaints from the patient regarding their treatment, their treatment or how their condition is managed. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) suggests the most basic approach to accomplishing this. However, it could be difficult to implement in practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask about your family history to see whether there are any mental health issues within your family. They'll also inquire about any experiences you've had with trauma or experienced, as well as your current status in the social world (including your relationships, work and if you receive support from home). You might be asked questions about your beliefs regarding religion and about your ambitions and goals. The psychiatrist will then formulate an assessment and formulate an appropriate treatment plan to suit your requirements.
The psychiatrist should also look at physical symptoms. They will examine their blood pressure, listen and feel the lungs and heart as well as look for other medical conditions that may cause the psychiatric symptoms.
It is often helpful for the psychiatrist to get an entire physical exam from the general practitioner of the patient however, it's not always possible especially for patients who are extremely sick or inpatients on psychiatric hospitals. Patients on these wards might only have very infrequent face-to-face contact with psychiatrists, or perhaps none at all. In such instances, it is important that
psychiatric assessment online nurses or care coordinators take an active role in ensuring that these patients' physical health needs are addressed.
Psychiatrists also need to understand the reason why the patient is being referred to them, and what they are hoping to gain from their psychiatric assessment. They should be able to interpret medical letters, examine reports of tests and communicate effectively with a person's medical team to coordinate any medication or treatment.
The medical history is a crucial component of any psychiatric assessment. It should include details about the patient's diagnosis of psychiatric disorders as well as past treatment, as well as alcohol and drug usage. If you can, it's important to collect a family history to determine the risk of certain disorders like bipolar disorder. It is helpful to utilize screens that gather lifetime psychiatric data on informants and their first-degree relatives, but it is equally essential to collect an entire family psychiatric history.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric assessment your doctor will inquire with you about your symptoms and
how to get a psychiatric assessment uk they have affected your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and other issues that may be relevant. It can feel intrusive at times, but you need to be honest and complete to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
If you are suffering from mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety it is essential to seek a psychiatric examination to determine whether or not you require treatment. It is normal to experience periods of low mood and stress however if they last more than one or two days or interfere with your daily activities, then you might require treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms, your psychiatrist will also inquire about any other issues that may be impacting you, including family and work problems or abuse of substances. They will also inquire about your physical health, your sleeping habits and whether or not you've tried any other ways to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also ask you questions about your past experiences with mental illness, and they may also use standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to gain understanding of your situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality tests or cognitive tests that measure your level of distress.
If the
psychiatric assessment indicates that you are suffering from psychotic symptoms, which are marked by hallucinations or delusions that are significant deviations from reality as a consensual entity, the psychiatrist will need to conduct a more thorough examination and may be required to admit you to hospital for observation. You will need to undergo a second evaluation by a psychiatrist before being allowed to return home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the support and care you need. The team of friendly and experienced professionals is committed to providing you with the information you need about your diagnosis and possible treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric evaluation via the internet or call us today.
Psychological Tests
The use of a variety of tests is an essential part of a psycho-psychological assessment. Psychological tests are written or verbal assessments designed to measure non-observed elements. They are typically used to assess a person's personality traits and emotional functioning. They can also be used to determine the severity of a particular mental illness, like anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a qualified psychologist and requires the patient to follow specific guidelines to get accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment may differ in regards to the number and type psychological tests employed, based on an individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric evaluation could be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or extensive and long, such as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if a patient has an injury to the brain or concussion.
All types of psychiatric evaluations help provide a snapshot of the patient's overall psychological and emotional state. In hospitals doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists sometimes conduct these tests to evaluate the patient's mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive abilities. Private therapists may also conduct these tests in their offices to collect data to develop a treatment plan, and to determine if patients would benefit from medication or another form of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are examples of psychological tests. These tests measure cognitive performance (often called IQ) in comparison to a normal group. Other tests are designed for evaluating the ability to perform tasks, for example, a word association or memory test. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training and expertise in the administration and interpretation of psychological tests.
The purpose of a psychiatric examination 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 patient about the diagnosis and how it is related to their current symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis, which means the way in which a specific diagnosis is likely to develop
expert in psychiatric assessment time.
