Assessing Psychiatric Trauma Following A Motor Vehicle Accident

How often do you evaluate patients with traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder following a motor vehicle accident?

In my over 30 years of practice as a general psychiatrist, I’ve evaluated numerous individuals who’ve experienced traumatic events such as car accidents, plane crashes, chemical plant explosions, assaults, and abuse. This includes both inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as providing neuropsychiatric evaluations at renowned institutions such as the Texas Institute of Rehabilitation Research.

Generally, what information would you need to review to determine the cause of a patient's injuries and need for future treatment?

To accurately determine the cause of a patient’s injuries and their need for future treatment, it’s crucial to review all medical and psychiatric records from before and after the accident.

Academic performance records can also be insightful. Understanding an individual’s vocational history pre- and post-accident is critical too, along with any limitations claimed as a result of the accident or residual neurocognitive deficits.

Current and ongoing psychiatric or psychological assessment records are critical, including prescribed medications. It’s also essential to understand any history of substance use disorder.