Psychiatric Interviewing and Assessment

This book will help mental health professionals to develop the fundamental generic skills in interviewing and assessment which form the foundation of psychiatric practice. It is about the process of reaching a diagnosis and is a practical guide to help the reader make the transition from novice to competent clinician. It is based on real problems encountered in modern general adult psychiatric practice, and is set in a range of environments, in the clinic and in the community. The text is punctuated by a selection of case studies to illustrate the principles highlighted in the book. This book will be essential reading for all members of the mental health team. Its practical grounding in everyday clinical experience will appeal to trainee psychiatrists and more experienced clinicians alike, as well as to nurses, social workers and psychologists.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements; Introduction; Part I. What Am I Trying to Find Out Here?: 1. Diagnosis; 2. History; 3. Mental state and psychopathology; 4. Cognitive state assessment and organic disease; Part II. The Main Principles of One to One Interviewing: 5. Office based psychiatric assessment; 6. Understanding and managing relationships with patients; Part III. The Difficult Interview: 7. Difficulties relating to psychosis; 8. Unpopular patients; Part IV. Self Awareness: 9. Values and beliefs; 10. Culture; 11. Who should I be?; Part V. Out of the Clinic: 12. Interviewing with other team members; 13. Interviewing families and other informants; 14. In the community; Part VI. Drawing it all Together: 15. Personality; 16. Risk and safety; 17. Note keeping, letters and reports; Afterword. Getting alongside patients.

About the Author :
Robert Poole is a community psychiatrist with an interest in the psychological, social and cultural aspects of mental illness. He has wide experience as a postgraduate educator having been a Royal College Clinical Tutor and Examiner, a University Postgraduate Tutor and Chairman of a regional psychiatric training committee. Robert Higgo is currently the consultant psychiatrist for an Assertive Outreach Team in Liverpool, dealing with difficult to engage and complex client groups. He is a Royal College tutor and joint programme director for the Merseyside Rotational Training Scheme in Psychiatry.

Review :
'This book contains an abundance of practical advice and clinical practice wisdom ... it sends a clear message that relating to patients in a warm, genuine, accepting, and inquisitive fashion provides the setting in which patients are encouraged to collaborate with the psychiatrist, become more self-reliant and autonomous, and progress along the path to recovery from mental illness.' Psychiatric Services 'It is written with a great sense of humour, lucidity, and without the unnecessary quest for a political correctness. The authors clinical acumen and experience are obvious. The chapters are straight to the point, well written, with good clinical illustrations, and with another good feature - the main points of each chapter are at the end of it.' Annals of Clinical Psychiatry 'This book needs to be considered as e recommended reading for all doctors in training in psychiatry. it grasps many nettles and provides a rare insight into contemporary psychiatric practice. Not only does this book provide a grounding in basic history-taking and mental state examination, but it also tackles the more challenging and enjoyable aspects of our work, such as community mental health team functioning, managing relationships, dealing with substance misuse, difficulties relating to psychosis, interactions with families, as well as wider issues of culture and beliefs. It provides illuminating and thought-provoking insights into self-awareness and the issues we as practitioners bring into the therapeutic relationship. These issues are captured succinctly by well-chosen clinical scenarios. The text is easily digested and readable, with summary points at the end of each chapter which help to make what can be enormous issues distilled and clear. A persistent theme is the depth of the clinical experience evident in the authors, which is neither lofty nor manifest as unattainable ideals. This book is disarmingly applicable and approachable. ... it is an unsurpassed and important work.' British Journal Of Psychiatry