BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE EVALUATIONS

 

Behavioral medicine evaluations are typically psychological evaluations that are conducted when a person is required to do so for or prior to a medical procedure. We currently offer four behavioral medicine evaluations.

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• Organ transplant: As a part of the organ transplant process, patients may be required or recommended to undergo a psychological evaluation. This typically takes place prior to the transplant. Our evaluations are thorough and can be tailored to the particular patient we assess. We specifically look to determine the needs, deficits, and assets that the patient has to bring them toward the final objective, the transplant. The individualized treatment plan allows for improvements in the quality of life of the patient who will undergo a transplant, particularly during the postoperative period. There are multiple purposes for such evaluations and our evaluations can be tailored to the specific needs or requests of the physician or patient. Common areas of focus, however, are the following:

  • ​Whether some form of mental disorder or psychological characteristic may pose problems for the transplant and subsequent care required.

  • The person’s understanding of the transplant and need for it. 

  • The person’s understanding and ability to comply with treatment or procedures following the initial transplant.

  • Offering psychological treatment recommendations to allow for better physical and mental health outcomes.

  • Assessing the patient's understanding and acceptance of their medical condition or diagnosis.

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• Bariatric Surgery: Bariatric surgery, much like nearly any surgical procedure, has inherent risks. It further requires highly restrictive and long-term behavioral changes following the surgery. Therefore, patients seeking this procedure are often required to complete a psychological evaluation to determine their appropriateness for surgery. Our bariatric psychological evaluations are thorough and consider the individual using a variety of assessment techniques and methods. Major areas of focus for these evaluations include behavior, psychiatric symptoms, psychological adjustment, readiness for surgery, reasons for seeking surgery, weight and diet history, current eating behaviors, understanding of the surgery and its associated lifestyle changes, social supports and history, and psychiatric symptoms.

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• Hepatitis C/Interferon treatment: Interferon - Interferon is used to treat Hepatitis C. However, one undesired consequence of interferon therapy is the worsening of a preexistent psychiatric disorder. Consequently, careful consideration of psychiatric disorders should be made prior to the initiation of treatment. Our evaluations provide an in-depth examination for this specific purpose. Using a combination of interviews, observations, record review, and specialized psychological tests, we assess for the disorders and symptoms most relevant to the initiation of Interferon treatment.

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• Spinal cord stimulator implantation: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a pain management method used for patients with chronic pain that is resistant to medication and alternative or therapies or when the individual has had a failed back surgery. Research finds that psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, and poor coping skills are significant predictors of poor outcomes. As a result, patients considering spinal cord stimulator implantation are often referred for a psychological evaluation to assist in determining their suitability for the procedure and to evaluate the odds of a successful outcome. The typical evaluation requires 2-3 hours of direct contact with the individual, in addition to time for record review, report writing, and feedback. We do not bill insurance on your behalf.