title: A case report using the mental state examination scale (MSES): a tool for measuring change in mental state.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a need for a simple and brief tool that can be used in routine clinical practice for the quantitative measurement of mental state across all diagnostic groups. The main utilities of such a tool would be to provide a global metric for the mental state examination, and to monitor the progression over time using this metric.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed the mental state examination scale (MSES), and used it in an acute inpatient setting in routine clinical work to test its initial feasibility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using a clinical case, the utility of MSES is demonstrated in this paper. When managing the patient described, the MSES assisted the clinician to assess the initial mental state, track the progress of the recovery, and make timely treatment decisions by quantifying the components of the mental state examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MSES may enhance the quality of clinical practice for clinicians, and potentially serve as an index of universal mental healthcare outcome that can be used in clinical practice, service evaluation, and healthcare economics.
authors.affiliation: Staff Specialist Psychiatrist, Hunter New England Area Health Service, The Mater Hospital, Waratah, NSW, and; Conjoint Lecturer, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia irosh.fernando@uon.edu.au.
authors.forename: Irosh
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fernando
authors.affiliation: Conjoint Professor, Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, and; Acting Director, Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Waratah, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003702:Delusions; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
keywords: MSES; mental state examination; quantitative assessment of mental state