Assessment tools are informal symptoms checks which are typically questionnaire which enquire people to reflect their symptoms to point to that “yes”, they are feeling a known symptom, or “no” they do not experience said symptom (Moriarty, 2002).
In this essay mini mental state examination (MMSE) will be used in this essay to focus on the use of exploring mental health assessment tool. It will be used as an assessment on a patient at practice placement and the impact mental ill health has on the person’s family and the wider society. It will also discuss factors which inform the systematic, holistic and collaborative assessment of need with reference to the sociological, biological and psychological and discuss the extent to which the assessment
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The MMSE was issued in 1975 as a useful means of scoring cognitive impairment (Folstein et al., 1975) Folstein added that the essential general purpose of the MMSE is a brief way to assist in identifying alleged dementia and other psychiatric illness in an inpatient unit. The tool has19 individual tests of which contains 11 domains covering orientation, registration, attention , calculation, spelling, recall, naming, repetition, verbal, written and construction (Folstein et al, 1975 ). Department of Health (2005) highlighted that that 40% of older people who see their GP and 50% of older people seen in general hospitals, and also 60 % of older people living in care and residential homes are diagnosed with …show more content…
Patient AB’s family presence during the assessment was very useful to confirm the good understanding of patient’s memory problem. This was essential because family are able to bring up issues they have noticed about patient memory .The Patient scored 21/30 after the MMSE test and this identified that patient AB has mild cognitive deficits and memory problem due to the evidence her family reported. According to Folstein (1975) the cut off points for MMSE is 24. Patient AB’s family reported that prior to patients admission they realised changes in her memory state. They cited of issues of forgetfulness in taking medication, not being able to remember names of people and places, forgetting date and time, forgets where she put things and sometimes not being able to follow conversation. They mentioned that this turned out to be their main fears when they noticed patient AB got lost after taking the dog out for a walk in the local community and kept knocking on neighbour’s doors for help to locate her
...could be greatly improved by depicting some patients having forgotten who they are. In one study, it suggests that “short –term memory loss is common but underestimated because psychiatric symptoms and speech problems often interfere with the assessment of memory.
Throughout this essay, each theme includes sub-topics also discussed in detail. Referring back to evidence based practice (EBP), policy drivers like Rights, Relationships and Recovery (RRR) and Scottish government legislation, such as Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. These documents are the framework, which are essential in order to support the standard of care offered to each individual using mental health services in Scotland.
Many professionals are qualified and certified to help handle mental health disorders and they vary from a wide range of disciplines. All focus on helping the individual who is struggling with their mental health the professional help that they need and deserve. Many mental health professionals will initially do a biopsychosocial assessment of the person’s life in order to better gauge where the strengths lie in this person’s life and where underlying issues may be held. This assessment includes looking at the person from a biological viewpoint, a psychological viewpoint, and a social viewpoint. The biological perspective looks at a person’s medical needs, including neurological testing. The psychological standpoint focuses on a person’s psychological
...(2012) Alzheimer's Society Dementia A national challenge. Report. Available from: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?fileID=1389 [Accessed 3 February 2014]
To establish why a working partnership between the service user and practitioner is needed it is important to note that there have been many changes in mental health services since the 18th century when service users were labelled ‘lunatics’, shackled and treatment included beatings and being put on public display (The Open University, 2010g, p.94). This no longer happens but current legislation still focuses on controlling risk instead of considering a holistic approach where the whole person is considered. This can result in the service user not being included in decisions about their care, not given treatment options and sometimes being detained without consent (The Open University, 2010h, p.111). May (in the Open University, 2004b) is a practitioner and ex-service user, he states that me...
Aside from clinical management, this should also involve promoting acceptance and understanding of the experience in such a way that the illness is framed as part of the individual without defining them as a whole. The meaning attached by the individual to their experience can affect their progress and so, their life story, hopes, fears and unique social situation are central in the recovery process. While this serves to encourage acceptance of the individual’s distress, it also facilitates hope for resolution; therefore, professionals are required to enable the individual to unearth their own strengths and meaning. This means reclaiming a full and meaningful life either with or without psychotic symptoms so that the individual can maintain a life even if mental issues persist. Thus, services are required to facilitate a higher level of functioning for service users that enables the individual adapts their attitudes, values and experience; by taking personal responsibility through self-management to seek out help and support as required, rather than being clinically managed
The MSE was developed from the work of Karl Jaspers, designed to comprehend a client’s perception through the client’s description and observation (Tancredi, 1987). The examination includes objective observation of the clinician and subjective descriptions that are given by the client. The exam follows several domains including, appearance, behavior, mood and affect, speech, cognition, thoughts, perception, and insight and judgment (Tancredi, 1987). In the domain of appearance, useful cues can determine the client’s lifestyle, daily living skills, and quality of self-care. For example, their grooming, clothing, or hygiene can indicate whether they combed they hair brushed their teeth or are wearing the same clothes for multiple days. This can be a symptom of cognitive decline in the client. In the next domain, behavior is examined to assess the client’s verbal and nonverbal communication. This can include facial expressions, body language and gestures, eye contact, posture, psychomotor activity, and anxious behavior. All of which can reveal a lot about the client’s emotional state or attitude, which can also be a sign for cognitive
A mental status examination (MSE) is an assessment process that enquires into specific aspects of a person’s mental health condition. A MSE also assesses the potential risks associated with specific mental health conditions, whether it be the risk of self-harm, harm of others or reputation (Procter, Hamer, McGarry, Wilson, Froggatt 2014). The MSE provides clinical framework for examining changes within the personal domains of; attitude, appearance, mood, affect, behaviour, orientation, speech, cognition, thoughts, perception, insight and judgement and risk (TRCHM 2014). Findings within these specific domains are placed with any subjective reports, biographical and historical information relating to this person. This then allows for an accurate opinion to be formed followed by the formulation of a correct diagnosis (Procter, et al 2014). This ultimately contributes to the treatment and care given on this person’s journey to recovery. The symptoms and mannerisms displayed by Robert will be deconstructed using a MSE to describe his mental state.
Simpson, C. (2007) ‘Mental Health part3: Assessment and Treatment of Depression’ British Journal of Healthcare assistants. pp 167-171.
The mental health assessment is a crucial part in everyday nursing care as it evaluates an individual’s mental condition to assess for risk factors of mental illnesses and provide optimal care and treatment. Mental health is described as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” (CDC) If the patient not mentally healthy, they can develop mentally illnesses, which can affect treatment and the disease process of physical ailments because without mental health a person cannot be completely healthy. “Suicide Risk Assessment in High Risk Adolescents” is a nursing article that outlines suicide risk factors and prevention strategies for assist nurses in performing mental health assessments. Suicide, the act of
As humans when we are faced with any psychological or emotional problems, our initial thought is to turn to a therapist, doctor or any other health practitioners. Our initial thought when we are faced with problems regarding our health is to turn to a health professional because for ages that’s how it has been. When it comes to our health, health professionals nowadays do more harm than help. Many might disagree, but often patients are misdiagnosed with mental illnesses they do not have. Misdiagnosis occurs when a therapist or other health practitioners decide that a patient is suffering from a condition that he or she may not be suffering with. When misdiagnosed, patients are given unnecessary treatment, which could potentially
My experience in mental health clinical was very different from any other clinical I had before. In a mental health clinical setting, I am not only treating client’s mental illnesses, I am also treating their medical problems such as COPD, diabetes, chronic renal failure, etc. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the unexpected events. In this mental health clinical, I learned that the importance of checking on my clients and making sure that they are doing fine by performing a quick head-to toes assessment at the beginning of my shift. I had also learned that client’s mental health illness had a huge impact on their current medical illness.
Historically, memory has been a recurring topic in cognition research. Through the years, many scientific findings have helped us to understand how memory works. Since, older adults are the subgroup most affected by frequent memory deficiencies, they would be highly benefited with the advance of the cognitive
Throughout this process of interviewing my friends about their perspective on health, I have learned a great deal of what it actually meant to be healthy and how each person defines it. Fortunately for me, I have friends who come from different backgrounds, therefore I received a very diversified spectrum of responses. While there are many differences between my friends, there were many similarities in their replies, especially the way they described health. My first interview was with one of my best friends and currently my roommate, Braden Curtis.
There should be a holistic approach to the treatment diagnosis and management of the people with mental illness. Such an approach should put into consideration the families of the people with mental illnesses and help them understand the issue. Once they understand, it is easier for them to welcome and help the individuals instead of sending them to institutions. To achieve prompt treatment, the mental health facilities and personnel need to be accessible and operate within the recommended standards.