What is a presenting problem in mental health?
To your healthcare provider, the presenting problem is one initial piece of information they will use for evaluation. As such, the presenting problem is often a key section of an intake and inquiry form mental health professionals write up and save as part of your medical record.
What should be included in a presenting problem?
If you have an appointment with a therapist to address your phobia, she will fill out the “presenting problem” section by asking you questions. Standard information on an initial psychological assessment include: your description of the presenting problem. your goals and expectations of therapy.
How does a therapist diagnose a presenting problem?
During your appointment, you share this “self-diagnosis,” or list of symptoms with your therapist and her job is to determine if your presenting problem is the actual issue. In order to come to a correct diagnosis, the therapist needs additional information provided by you in the form of spoken answers, written explanations, and/or medical tests.
What should be included in a problem description?
The problem description should have a concise description of the facts that need to be addressed. In addition, it must respond to the 5 Whys of the 5W2H methodology: Who, Where, What, When and Why. Note that H (“how?”) is not included.
Which is an example of a problem statement?
Symptoms associated with the problem add to the confusion when trying to describe a problem. For example, arriving at the physician’s office and stating, “Doctor, I am experiencing pain in the back of my thigh down to the lower part of my leg! I need you to ‘fix’ my leg!”
When to use weak description of a problem?
When it is assumed that the cause of the problem is already known, the result in one of two possible versions of the problem description: In one case, the description of the problem is extremely weak in information and details, for example: “ Our department has received customer complaints.”
Why is H not included in a problem description?
Note that H (“how?”) is not included. This is because this is the question that the investigative efforts will arrive at from the root cause of the problem. After determining the facts associated with the problem, the analysis and resolution of the problem can be carried out in less time and with lower costs.