The psychiatric exam in geropsychiatry
Abstract
This chapter introduces the practitioners to the psychiatric evaluation, in general, and specifically for geriatric mental health patients. Practitioners will learn about the essential components of an initial evaluation and review some of the basic methods for assessment such as rating scales and standardized assessment tools. The chapter considers common factors that practitioners may be confronted with specifically in a geriatric psychiatric evaluation. Common confounding and unique issues present during an initial psychiatric evaluation with geriatric patients should be appropriately documented. The chapter provides a general outline for the initial evaluation. After reviewing this chapter, practitioners will be able to: identify the essential components of an initial psychiatric evaluation; discuss unique components and requirements of an initial evaluation with geriatric mental health patients; and evaluate the results/outcome from the completion of an initial psychiatric exam to formulate an appropriate plan of treatment.