What Information Should Be Included in Comprehensive Evaluations?

Comprehensive evaluations, or comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, as they are sometimes called, are intensive, thorough mental health and/or developmental reports. They are used by health professionals to identify mental health issues and behavior issues in both children and adults.

Medical History

• A medical history is one part of a comprehensive evaluation.

  First and foremost, a medical history interview is included in a comprehensive evaluation. Having information on physical issues plays a big role in determining diagnoses and distinguishing developmental delays from physical limitations.

Lab Work

• Lab results also play a part in comprehensive evaluations.

  In most comprehensive evaluations, results of lab work are included. Tests may include checking for substance abuse, looking for genetic anomalies that may influence mental health or brain functioning and establishing a baseline for later comparisons after psychiatric medications are added to a patient's life.

Psychiatric Interview and Observations

• A report is generated from the practioner's findings.

  The most important aspect of a comprehensive evaluation is also the most extensive. A psychiatric interview will be conducted. The patient's behaviors will be observed. The evaluator includes his observations, the effects of behaviors, as well as a psychiatric assessment and diagnosis.