When working as a therapist or counselor, it is crucial to comprehend the diverse factors that influence life and issues. One way to determine how a patient’s biological structure, psychological state, and social environment affect them is to conduct a biopsychosocial assessment. Understanding what to include in this type of assessment can improve the ability to achieve it, providing a complete picture of patients’ circumstances (Hadfield, 2022). The biopsychosocial model suggests that it is crucial to consider all components together. A growing body of empirical literature indicates that patients’ perceptions of health and disease threats influence the possibility of how the patient will participate in the treatment process (Holmes, 2018). Psychosocial factors, meanwhile, can influence the biological effect by predisposing the patient to risk factors. An example might be clinical depression, which may not cause liver problems, but the depressed person is more likely to have issues with alcohol and, therefore, liver damage.
At the beginning of the evaluation, it is vital to record basic information about the patient. It may include identifying information such as name, date of birth, gender, race, and marital status. Furthermore, it is advisable to have a record of the problem the patient wants help with, any referrals to the physician, and a list of any questionnaires or diagnostic tools that can be used to collect data (Holmes, 2018). It is essential to note the patient’s behavior and how they address the problem at the time of the first therapy session. This data can help set goals and monitor progress in future sessions. Questions about biological factors follow and include any pre-existing medical conditions that may be present and family medical history (Hadfield, 2022). It can contribute to understanding the root causes of the illness and is one of the most decisive factors in treating patients with behavioral and attitudinal disorders.
Social and cultural factors can likewise affect mental health, influencing stress, support networks, and coping mechanisms. The study of family life, childhood, professional environment, and other aspects of their lives is an integral part of the biopsychosocial assessment (Laher & Cockcroft, 2019). Moreover, the spiritual element is included in the example, as spiritual life can be a way to help patients with attempted mood and behavior disorders, and it is vital to understand the specifics of their religious life. Once all the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors affecting the patient have been identified and recorded, a final assessment and recommendation should be made. It is significant to begin with a brief statement highlighting the patient’s problems, key contributing factors, and a few secondary issues (Laher & Cockcroft, 2019). Then determine the overall impression of the patient, such as their current emotional state, level of motivation, and how well they are coping with the problem on their own.
Based on this information, a diagnosis can be made, and a treatment program can be recommended to help solve the problem. The assessment may require asking different questions for different clients. For example, if a client is concerned about their performance at work, they should be asked more questions about their work environment and fewer questions about their medical history. It is essential to consider each person’s needs when preparing for the assessment to tailor questions appropriate for their unique situation.
References
Hadfield, J. A. (2022). Psychology and mental health: a contribution to developmental psychology. Routledge.
Holmes, E. (2018). Psychological assessment. In Psychotherapy with Severely Deprived Children. Routledge.
Laher, S., & Cockcroft, K. (2019). Psychological assessment. Wits University Press.