PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN NEUROLOGICAL INPATIENTS - ITS PREVALENCE AND ITS RECOGNITION BY RESIDENTS

Objective: This pilot study investigated the prevalence of psychologic al distress and cognitive impairment in neurological in-patients by me ans of three widely accepted questionnaires. We examined residents' re cognition of corresponding disturbances. Method: We interviewed fifty- five consecutively admitted in-patients of a neurological unit with th e MMSE, GHQ-28 and BDI. We asked the neurological residents whether th ey found cognitive impairment or psychological disturbances in their p atients and to indicate the extent of those abnormalities. Results: Fi fteen percent of patients showed cognitive impairment, but as many as one-third showed psychological problems warranting further work-up. Re cognition of such by residents as well as specification of psychiatric diagnoses and important psychosocial factors in the final reports was poor. Conclusion: Psychological problems are common in neurologic in- patients. They are insufficiently recognized by residents and usually not taken into consideration in patient-care. We suggest the improveme nt of neurologic training to include appropriate interview techniques, providing the integration of biological, psychological and social fac tors in diagnosis and therapy.