Psychologist-physician partnership in a medical specialty screening clinic

Describes the development of a headache screening clinic in which psychologists participate with neurologists in the initial patient evaluation, using brief screening questionnaires and interviews. The majority of patients assessed in this clinic experienced clinically significant emotional distress, although only a minority of these patients felt a need for psychological intervention. By combining psychological screening with initial medical evaluation, emotionally disturbed individuals who present with physical complaints can be rapidly identified and their defensiveness about referral for psychological/psychiatric intervention can be minimized. Psychologists' psychometric screening instruments and their interviewing skills can contribute significantly to optimal utilization of health care services. Three case examples are given. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).