4A-I Creating a Treatment Plan: Key Steps in the Clinical Assessment Process

The team will use a clinical assessment process that includes: 

• Identifying cultural and language needs and finding the right people to help such as sign language interpreters.
• Assessing the degree of substance use and mental disorders.
• Analyzing how mental illness affects the patient’s ability to function.
• Conducting lab testing to see if physical illness is contributing to the psychological distress.
• Identifying and contacting collateral sources such as family, friends and former health care providers to learn more about the patient.
• Determining any psychiatric diagnoses.
• Identifying any additional  problem areas to address during the person’s hospital stay 
• Finding ways to help the patient after release such as health care needs, housing, help finding a job or job training.
• Identify the patient’s strengths, positive influences (friends, family, etc.) and other resources that can help them with a positive return to the community.