Psychological testing and consultation-liaison psychiatry.
Although the use of psychological testing in medical settings has been limited primarily to psychiatric units, it can add appreciably to teaching and diagnostic efforts on a psychiatric consultation-liaison service. A number of methodological and procedural modifications are necessary to incorporate testing into the diagnostic workup. The psychologists' efforts must be viewed as supportive, and must be geared to take into account the unique problems on medical and surgical units. Testing efforts can be most helpful in identifying: a) patients whose response set or attitude predisposes them towards exaggerating or minimizing emotional difficulties, b) individuals with conversion reactions or major psychogenic components complicating their medical disorder, and c) patients in whom an organic brain syndrome complicates medical adjustment. The MMPI and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale are examples of two objective assessment instruments that can aid in dealing with an array of diagnostic problems. A series of test profiles are discussed with specific comments directed towards demonstrating the utility of psychological tests.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D004501:Education, Medical; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012803:Sick Role; D014888:Wechsler Scales