Multimodal Clinical Evaluation and Treatment Planning

The psychiatric evaluation is a method of collecting present and past psychological, biological, social, and environmental data for the purpose of establishing a comprehensive picture of the patient’s strengths and problems, including the psychiatric diagnoses, and developing treatment plans. It is the essential beginning of every course of psychiatric treatment and, when carried out successfully, integrates a multimodal approach to understanding mental illness and providing clinical care. This chapter presents detailed information on conducting clinical evaluations and formulating treatment plans. It starts by presenting clear instructions for interviewing patients and stipulates the main information that interviewers should collect, including the Mental Status Examination. Then, the chapter goes on to cover in detail the various examinations, evaluations, and tests that clinicians should consider. After presenting the laboratory and physical tests recommended in various situations, the chapter uses the example of schizophrenia to discuss exciting perspectives for the future of psychiatric diagnosis. Treatment planning and assessment of risk factors for suicide, violence, and other potentially harmful conditions are reviewed in detail, followed by the important topic of differential diagnosis. The chapter concludes with a guide to planning treatment, which includes pointers for deciding on the initial disposition. Overall, this chapter guides psychiatrists from the initial patient contact to diagnosis and treatment and thus provides essential information for new and experienced clinicians.