CLINICAL CASE STUDY
As per your Syllabus:
This
is a new feature for this class. Towards the end of the semester, I
would give you a clinical scenario and I will like for you to write a
2-3 page summary of your assessment, diagnosis and treatment
recommendation. This needs to include the following:
- The
methods and strategies you would use in order to perform the initial
assessment. In other words, I want to know how you arrived to the
diagnosis and what processes you used. - Which
diagnoses would you consider? You should have a primary diagnosis, but
perhaps there may be other possible diagnoses you may want to rule/out
or consider. - What
is your case formulation? That is more comprehensive than just the
diagnosis. For example let’s say you are considering ‘Major Depression”
as a Diagnosis. Your case formulation may be something like this: “this
patient has suffered significant recent loses in his life, and in the
context of possible biological vulnerabilities (ie; history of maternal
depression) and limited psychological resources he has developed a
depressive condition”. - What
is your treatment plan? Nothing extensive here but it has to make
sense. Don’t just put things in there to make sure you cover all bases.
Not all patients need MRIs! - What
else would you have liked to know about this patient, which was not
given to you in the case scenario, and you think it may have been very
useful in order to reach a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan? For
example, the patient with depression has complained primarily of
fatigue, mild dizziness and difficulties concentrating. Perhaps you may
want to rule out a medical condition (anemia) and you may want to have
this patient be medically evaluated.
This is not a difficult task, but requires a little thinking from your part. As
long as you are “in the ball park” for the diagnosis, you will be fine.
The important point is that I need you to show me you know how to do
the assessment, followed by a diagnosis, good case formulation and a
reasonable treatment plan. Don’t write more than 3 pages (about
1000-1200 words). You will have this task towards the end of the
semester (see schedule below) and it will be worth a total of 10 points.
As with any other assignments, this is your own work, not a team
effort. Sharing or copying another student’s work will result in a
failing grade for the class.
