Psychological Assessment in the Psychiatric Inpatient Setting (1.5 CEs)

Abstract

Within the psychiatric inpatient setting, accurate and comprehensive diagnostic assessment is a crucial initial step, guiding the rest of treatment and discharge planning. However, many individuals face obstacles in communicating their experiences and symptoms fully and precisely. Patients may feel hesitant to engage with their treatment team for a variety of reasons, are unsure how to describe their experiences, or present with behavioral, affective, or cognitive symptoms that may complicate clinical interviewing. Psychological assessment can provide unique and objective data that meaningfully informs diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment recommendations. This roundtable discussion will gather individuals to present a diversity of perspectives on how to utilize psychological assessment in the psychiatric inpatient setting. First, the discussion will guide participants to consider why assessment is important in this context. Discussion will also include considerations regarding adaptation of test selection, administration, and report writing in the inpatient setting. Barriers to using psychological assessment in the inpatient setting will be discussed and cultural considerations will be highlighted. For example, discussion will elucidate how psychological assessments can help identify and assess how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) factors impact an individual’s mental health and treatment needs, through appropriately contextualizing their experiences. Finally, the session will include a discussion regarding the supervision of doctoral students learning assessment skills in the inpatient setting. Supervisor and supervisee perspectives will be shared, highlighting special considerations and differences from outpatient assessment supervision. Presenters will represent perspectives from two different inpatient hospitals and include hospital leadership, supervisor, and student viewpoints.

Coordinator 

Connor Adams | Stanford University

Speakers

Connor Adams | Stanford University

Alex Smith | Psychiatric Institute of Washington

Zeynep Sen | Stanford University

Flora Ma | Stanford University

Kelly Bloomer | Stanford University

Goals & Objectives

1. Explain the benefits of including psychological assessment as an intervention in psychiatric inpatient settings.
2. Describe at least three appropriate referral questions for psychological assessments in psychiatric inpatient settings.
3. Be able to select common test batteries utilized in the psychiatric inpatient setting.