FEIGNED PSYCHIATRIC-SYMPTOMS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM

Psychiatrists providing emergency services at an urban general hospita l completed questionnaires on 227 patients evaluated over a two-month period to assess whether they suspected the patient of malingering or of having secondary gains, and whether the patient was confronted abou t the suspicions, Thirteen percent of patients were strongly or defini tely suspected of feigning symptoms; none received a primary diagnosis of malingering, and less than half were confronted, Suspected seconda ry gains included food and shelter, medications, financial gains, and avoidance of jail, work, or family responsibilities.