A comparison of social workers and psychiatrists in evaluating parasuicide.
Sixty parasuicide patients admitted to medical wards were assessed by social workers prior to routine psychiatric assessment. Both disciplines completed a rating schedule. The social workers' and psychiatrists' rating schedule responses were compared, and their decisions were examined against further information obtained by a research psychiatrist, which included standardized mental state assessment. Overall the results show that social workers can safely and reliably assess these patients, but they are more cautious. A management approach involving social workers assessors of parasuicide patients is discussed.
D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008131:London; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011570:Psychiatry; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*