The initial psychiatric interview is the beginning of an important relationship. Many things will be determined in the first encounter by both the patient and the psychiatrist. At times this can feel overwhelming. A large amount of information must be gathered, processed, and incorporated into a cohesive treatment plan. This series of posts is designed to shed some light on the process, and reduce the anxiety associated with undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.
The interview consists of five key parts: (1) introduction, (2) opening, (3) the body, (4) closing, and (5) termination. A good psychiatrist will blend these sections into each other, so it feels more like a conversation than a formally structured interview.
Part 1: The Introduction
This is an important phase and begins as soon as the psychiatrist and patient see each other. The primary goal is to engage the patient and get them comfortable before asking sensitive questions. Like other first encounters the patient will form an impression of the psychiatrist which will shape the rest of the interview and treatment process.
One way to ensure patient comfort is to address anything in the office setting that can be altered prior to starting the evaluation. For example, closing a shade due to light from the window shining directly on the patient’s seat. Another example would be offering a drink of water or tea before starting. A simple gesture of kindness goes a long way in helping the patient feel comfortable in the setting.
The psychiatrist should then proceed with a formal introduction and offer a few details about himself or herself. One fear many patients have is a friend or family member finding out that they are under the care of a psychiatrist. It’s always a good idea to clarify and ensure confidentiality. Confidentiality is strictly maintained with the exception two primary scenarios (may vary by state). If a patient informs the psychiatrist of a plan to kill themselves or someone else, there is a duty to warn and protect the patient.
Once these parts are complete a brief description of how the interview process works is in order.
An example of this interaction may occur as follows:
The purpose of today’s interview is to learn about your concerns and the types of stressors you are dealing with. As the interview progresses, I will get a better idea of the primary concerns. We will then transition to some background questions about your family, medical health, schooling, and any previous psychiatric care you received. At the end of the discussion we can work together on a treatment plan. This process will take approximately one hour. Do you have any questions before we get started?
We want to convey two things to the patient, (1) a sense of understanding about the interview process to reduce fear, and (2) altering the patient to the fact that many questions will be asked, and it will take a fair amount of time.
The structure of the introduction is not set in stone and may be modified. It should take around five to seven minutes to complete.
In the next post we will tackle the opening of the interview process.
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