Residents’ Structured Versus Nonstructured Assessment of Cognitive Function

Abstract

We evaluated whether psychiatric residents assigned to the emergency room and consultation services, at comparable stages in their training, would more carefully consider cognitive dysfunction in presenting patients by employing a structured questionnaire rather than the more traditional method of mental status assessment. No significant difference in the frequency of suspected diagnosis of organic mental disorder was noted among 231 patients who were assessed using the Cognitive Capacity Screening Exam versus 281 patients screened by the more traditional clinical mental status examination. Thus, psychiatric residents who utilize a methodical and careful mental status examination remain highly effective in evaluating for the presence of organic psychiatric disorder.