General Psychiatric Assessment
There are numerous challenges in completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. They include privacy concerns, ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, secure meals and scheduled visits from family members.
It is also difficult to quantify outcomes in this situation, due to particular difficulties for outcomes specific to diseases as well as patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical Histories
The first step in the general psychiatric examination is to determine the medical background of the patient. This includes details of their present condition and any medications they are taking and 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 will be needed before making a diagnose.
This procedure can be a challenge to complete in medical wards due to the small space and interruptions caused by ward rounds, assessments from other specialties, allied health professionals and protected mealtimes. It is worth trying to arrange an appointment time that doesn't clash with any of these activities and find a quiet space for the examination to be conducted. The referrer's specific concerns will help determine which assessment is required for psychiatric disorders.
When carrying out psychiatric assessments on the medical wards in general hospitals, it is crucial to remember that the physical health issues that a patient presents with can influence or even mask their psychiatric signs and behaviors. Diagnostic overshadowing is a very common issue and is very difficult to avoid. For instance, if an individual has been admitted to a delirium hospital and has a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical records It is tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium and assume that it is caused by an existing mental illness instead of conduct a complete delirium screen to rule out causes that are treatable like stroke.
It is important that the psychiatrist assessing the patient is able to establish a link between the physical and psychiatric 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 being managed. The basic model suggested in Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy way to accomplish this, but it can be a challenge to implement it in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask about your family history to determine whether there are any mental health problems in your family. They will also ask about any past traumas or abused, as well as your current social standing (including your relationships, work and if you receive assistance from your home). You might be asked about your religious beliefs and your dreams and goals. The psychiatrist will then make an assessment and create an appropriate treatment plan to fit your needs.
The psychiatrist should also look at physical symptoms. They will test the patient's blood pressure, listen to the heart and lungs and look for any other medical issues which could be causing or aggravate the psychiatric symptoms.
It is often helpful for the psychiatrist to obtain a full physical from the general practitioner however, this isn't always possible especially for patients who are very ill and inpatients on psychiatric wards. Those on these wards may only have very infrequent face-to-face contact with psychiatrists, or none at all. In these instances it is crucial that psychiatric nursing staff or care coordinators take an active role in ensuring that the physical health requirements of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists must also understand why a person is being referred to them and what they hope to achieve through their psychiatric assessment. They must be able to read medical letters, review reports of tests and communicate effectively with the person's medical team to determine the best treatment or medication for the patient.
The medical history is a crucial part of any psychiatric evaluation. It must include information about the patient's diagnosis of psychiatric disorders, past treatment and drinking and drug use. If possible, it is essential to gather an entire family history to assess the likelihood of developing certain disorders such as bipolar disorder. Screens to collect life-long information about psychiatric conditions on informants as well as first-degree relatives can be useful however, there is a the benefit of obtaining a complete family history of psychiatric issues as well.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric evaluation the doctor will ask you about symptoms and how they affect your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history and other issues that could be relevant. The process can be uncomfortable at times, but it is important to answer honestly and completely so that a precise diagnosis can be made.
It is important to have an evaluation of your psychiatric condition when you are suffering from mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. This will determine if you need treatment. It is normal to experience periods of depression and stress but when they last longer than several days or impact your daily functioning then you may require treatment.
Your psychiatrist will ask you about your symptoms and any other issues affecting you, such as family or work issues or addiction issues. They will also ask you about your physical health, sleeping habits and whether or not you have tried any other ways to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist will also ask you questions regarding your here previous experiences with mental illness, and they might use standard assessment tools or psychological tests to gain understanding of your situation. These tests may include personality assessments, questionnaires or cognitive tests that measure the level of stress you are experiencing.
If your psychiatric evaluation indicates that you are suffering from psychotic symptoms, for example hallucinations and delusions that are quite different from what is thought to be real, then the psychiatrist may need to perform an in-depth exam and admit you to the hospital to be observed. In these cases, you will need to be re-evaluated by another psychiatrist before you are able to return home.
If you are in need of a psychiatric evaluation, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide the care and support you require. The team of experienced and caring professionals are dedicated to providing you with the information you need about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book your psychiatric examination via the internet or call us today.
Psychological Tests
The use of a variety of tests is a crucial aspect of a psycho-psychological evaluation. Psychological tests are written assessments or verbal evaluations that assess non-observed elements. They are used to determine the person's emotional health and personality characteristics. They can be used to identify a mental illness' severity, like depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is typically done by psychologists who have been trained. The patient must adhere to certain guidelines to obtain accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment can vary in terms of the type and quantity of psychological tests they utilize, depending on the person's condition and symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or extensive and long, such as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests can be used to determine if there's an injury to the brain or concussion.
All kinds of psychiatric tests offer a glimpse of the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. In the hospital doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists sometimes conduct these assessments to determine a patient's mood and emotional reactivity as well as cognitive capabilities. They are also conducted by private therapists in their offices to gather information to develop a treatment plan and to determine if a patient may benefit from a medication or other kinds of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are a type of psychological tests. These tests test cognitive functioning (often called IQ) in comparison to a normated group. Other tests are designed for evaluating the ability to complete tasks, like memory or word association test. Psychologists are the only experts who have the training and experience to conduct and interpret psychological tests.
A psychiatric evaluation 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 with the symptoms. The doctor will also speak about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis can be expected to progress in time.