Surgical staff recognition of psychopathology in trauma patients.

This study investigated the recognition of psychopathology by the surgical team in 56 trauma patients independently evaluated by the authors for current psychiatric diagnosis using research criteria. Thirty-four per cent of patients (N = 19) met criteria for one or more psychiatric disorder, with alcohol abuse/dependence the most frequent diagnosis (N = 16). Examination of medical records showed no mention of psychopathology or related treatment plan for 13 of 19 patients (68%).

The validity of psychiatric diagnosis under conditions of physical trauma: a pilot study.

The validity of psychiatric diagnosis obtained from hospitalized trauma patients was investigated to determine whether hospitalization with associated pain, discomfort, and medication artificially inflated the estimated prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses. Diagnostic Interview Schedule results from eleven hospitalized patients were compared with those obtained from the same patients after discharge. Diagnoses were found to be consistent for eight of eleven patients and eleven of fifteen diagnoses remained unchanged.