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Psychiatrists' attitudes to physical examination of new out-patients with a major depressive disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

A. C. Mitchell ,
E. M. McCabe  and
K. W. Brown
A. C. Mitchell
Affiliation:
The State Hospital, Carstairs
E. M. McCabe
Affiliation:
Westbank Day Unit, Falkirk
K. W. Brown*
Affiliation:
Central Scotland Healthcare, Bellsdyke Hospital, Bellsdyke Road, Larbert FK5 4SF
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

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This survey examined Scottish psychiatrists' attitudes to physical examination and appropriate investigations in the routine assessment of new out-patients with a major depressive disorder. A discrepancy exists between current opinion towards and actual practice of physical examination in the assessment of new out-patients with depression. Numerous obstacles to performing investigations were identified including lack of time, inadequate consulting rooms, lack of equipment and lack of chaperon. The many obstacles identified are considerable but not insurmountable. Missed diagnoses may have adverse consequences for patients as well as medico-legal implications.

Type
Original Papers
Information
Psychiatric Bulletin , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , February 1998 , pp. 82 - 84
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

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