Psychiatric assessment in remote Aboriginal communities.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to describe the psychiatric assessment of Aboriginal patients from remote Aboriginal communities in Central Australia.


METHODS
The method consisted of a summary of the experiences gained during a dissertation year placement as senior registrar with the Northern Territory Remote Area Mental Health Team.


RESULTS
Remote area Aboriginal psychiatry entails learning a whole new set of skills in terms of history taking and the mental state examination, a knowledge of the importance of extended kinship ties and cultural issues, the use of Aboriginal mental health workers as partners in assessing and managing patients via their families and accepting referrals from a wide range of sources.


CONCLUSIONS
Working on a service providing psychiatric care to remote area Aboriginal communities can be a deeply rewarding personal and professional experience.
Sheldon
M
M
Northern Territory Mental Health Services, Alice Springs.
D001315:Australia; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003469:Culture; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007802:Language; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013850:Thinking; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples