Describe what is meant by a clinical interview, identifying the topics typically covered during an interview, and contrasting structured with the unstructured interview.
The clinical interview is nothing but a conversation with a purpose. The exact definition of clinical interview is “A situation of primarily vocal communication, more or less voluntarily integrated, on a progressively unfolding expert-client basis for the purpose of elucidating characteristics patterns of living of the patient or client, or subject, which pattern she/he experiences as particularly troublesome or especially valuable, and in the revealing of which he expects to derive benefit”.
Topics typically covered during an interview
- Careful history of the patient –which is foundation for the diagnosis and treatment (personal history)
- Name, age, occupation, race, place of residence, history of prior clinical contacts, referral, other information sources
- Understanding the personality characteristics
- Strength and weakness
- Nature of the relationship (present and past)
- Patients development from the formative years to the present
- The chief complaint
- Intensity
- Duration
- Review of past health history
- The mental status examination
- General appearance
- Behaviour
- Mood
