Da. Fishbain et al., THE PROBLEM-ORIENTED PSYCHIATRIC-EXAMINATION OF THE CHRONIC PAIN PATIENT AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE LITIGATION CONSULTATION, The Clinical journal of pain, 10(1), 1994, pp. 28-51
Objective: The purpose of this paper is (a) to delineate the behavior
problems or complaints of chronic pain patients (CPPs) as presented in
the literature and to add those behavior problems that have not yet b
een identified; (b) to present a semistructured psychiatric interview
format that would lead to the delineation of these problems; and (c) t
o present a format and structure for the proposed semistructured psych
iatric interview that could be utilized for the purposes of medicolega
l assessment of the CPP and the reporting of that assessment to the li
tigation process. Setting: Any psychiatric/psychological examination o
f the CPP. Methods: The pain literature was reviewed for any research
reports that specifically addressed or delineated the types of behavio
r problems found within the chronic pain (CP) population. These behavi
or problems were placed in a semistructured interview format, organize
d in such a way as to facilitate reporting to the litigation process i
f necessary. Results: This semistructured psychiatric examination form
at is presented. Controversial problem areas in this format are discus
sed with appropriate references. Conclusions: CPPs are seen for the ps
ychiatric examination with a set of behavioral problems largely determ
ined by their medical condition, the consequences of that condition, a
nd the social circumstances surrounding that medical condition (e.g.,
the litigation process). The psychiatric examination should be tailore
d to this special set of problems.