Clinical Evaluation Diagnosis

Clinical evaluation - Diagnosis -

The diagnosis is usually possible to establish in the very first session, but in more complex cases, determining the diagnosis may require more than one meeting as the interview requirements vary depending on the severity and type of problem.

The initial session usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes, but can last much longer when the need for a more complete investigation of a case requires it. Quite often, it is necessary to use special questionnaires or even to obtain information from the patient's environment, such as from a relative, friend or others. Also, sometimes, mainly for reasons of differential diagnosis, further laboratory or imaging tests may be necessary, always in combination with a thorough physical examination and taking a relevant history.

The psychiatric interview is the most important tool available to the clinician in order to diagnose the mental disorder. During the psychiatric interview, all the necessary information is obtained in order to establish the diagnosis, while at the same time the therapeutic relationship between doctor and patient is built with the ultimate goal of effective treatment. The psychiatrist must have all the necessary skills to immediately ensure a framework of security based on mutual trust and respect. For this reason, a large part of the psychiatrist's training involves developing specific and sophisticated techniques to learn to listen to the patient, observe and interpret his behavior.

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In summary, therefore, the main general objectives of clinical evaluation are:

Provide detailed information from the client's past, which may have contributed to the creation of the problem.
Collect detailed information on the factors that contributed to the continuation of the problem.
Describe the nature and advantages of creating a therapeutic relationship between therapist and client.
Define the client's strengths and weaknesses.
Determine the appropriate psychometric tools to be used as indicators of the severity of the problem.
Make the issues facing the client known and understood by the therapist.
Create an environment of trust and security that will help the client to openly discuss what concerns them.
Reduce the levels of anxiety experienced by the client.
the patient draws hope to begin treatment.
To detect the patient's suitability for treatment.
To discuss the patient's expectations from treatment.
To give the patient a brief assessment of the severity of his problem.
To provide a diagnosis.
To create a treatment plan.