Mental state assessment: Basic principles

Mental state assessment or examination lies at the core of assessing patients and reaching a diagnosis that can be followed by appropriate and suitable management strategies. It is important that clinicians take enough time to carry out the assessment, which may require several sessions. This is especially true for patients whose cultures may differ from those of the clinician. It is important that assessments are not rushed and that gradual therapeutic alliance is developed so that patients and their carers have confidence in the clinician. Clinicians should take time to understand the cultural context of the individual and the significance of culture in the genesis, perpetuation, and prognosis of illness symptoms. Health professionals need to be aware of cultural idioms of distress and emotional and clinical needs. Even when both the clinician and the patient come from the same culture, a thorough and proper assessment is necessary.